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We dig into why outside plant is surging, how micro certifications work, and what designers and installers need to know to stay current and safe. Bob Herdling shares decades of insight on codes, methods, and the real‑world choices that make or break a build.

• OSP as the backbone of ICT
• Why broadband funding and BEAD drive demand
• Misconceptions about wireless versus fiber backbones
• Safety, codes, and NESC as core constraints
• Differences among aerial, underground, and direct buried
• Micro certifications structure and who they help
• Design and installation alignment through shared practices
• Why hands‑on OSP labs are complex and risky
• Career gains from targeted credentials
• Winter conference themes, formats, and networking
• Youth outreach and global volunteer growth

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Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com

Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH
#CBRCDD #RCDD

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We honor Phil Klingensmith and then dive into why standards make low-voltage work reliable, fast to service and future friendly. We unpack color codes, 568A vs 568B, fiber cleaning myths, splicer maintenance, MHz vs Mb, and encoding schemes with clear, practical advice.

• roots of color codes in Bell system and why they still matter
• 568A vs 568B framed by pins, pairs and channels
• why pair splitting creates crosstalk and failures
• USOC, tip and ring, and mnemonic aids
• fiber cleaning methods and why canned air falls short
• fusion splicer troubleshooting and electrode care
• megahertz vs megabits using the highway analogy
• encoding basics: RZ, NRZ and Manchester timing
• RFIs, submittals, RFQs and RFPs clarified
• estimator vs project manager responsibilities and skills

Please consider donating: There’s a QR code on the screen or hit me up for the link. Help fuel the podcast for next year and support the Costa Rica masterclass. Not a 501c3. Make sure you do something to make this industry a little better, like Phil did

Support the show

Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com

Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH
#CBRCDD #RCDD

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We honor our friend and industry icon, Phil Klingensmith RCDD, by replaying a defining interview that shows his humility, mastery, and deep commitment to teaching. From open wire lines to dense fiber, Phil’s wisdom ties legacy systems to the future of intelligent infrastructure.

• why Phil’s work still shapes design, install, and certification
• Navy-to-AT&T journey and outside plant beginnings
• legacy gear awareness to prevent outages
• BICSI training, standards, and best practices
• tips for the BICSI hands-on exam
• the case for constant learning and mentorship
• where infrastructure is heading and why wires still matter
• building careers through community and shared knowledge

Please don't let Phil's example be a memory. Make it a blueprint. Pick one thing that you can do for this industry to make it better. Teach somebody something, volunteer, share your knowledge instead of guarding it closely.

Support the show

Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com

Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH
#CBRCDD #RCDD

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We map a clean path from residential low-voltage work to professional-grade practice, tackling certifications, conduit fill math, reel verification, and the often-misunderstood NVP. Along the way, we flag cybersecurity risks in smart homes and share standards that save time and money.

• choosing first certs for residential AV and networking
• CEDIA vs BICSI strengths and how to combine them
• why fiber matters in large homes and crossovers
• conduit fill realities, code vs standards, heat risk
• using calculators, derating for bends, leaving growth
• how to verify reel lengths fast and accurately
• when to use OTDR, TDR, and pulling eyes
• what NVP means and how testers use it
• cybersecurity pitfalls with cheap IoT and cameras

Fuel the future ICT. Donate at tinyurl.com/fuel-ict or use the on-screen QR code to support next year’s trips and scholarships

Support the show

Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com

Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH
#CBRCDD #RCDD

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We turn the “morning after” anxiety into a clear roadmap for what to do once you pass a major credential like the RCDD. We map next certifications, role pathways, and ways to pay it forward so the credential becomes a lever, not a finish line.

• adopting a continuous learning mindset
• choosing field certs that complement design
• mapping 2, 5, and 10 year career goals
• selecting between RTPM and PMP for growth
• exploring data center and OSP pathways
• weighing estimating, PM, sales, QA, consulting
• building credibility with real site experience
• avoiding the credential-collecting trap
• mentoring newcomers and forming study groups
• volunteering for BICSI and ANSI committees
• creating content that builds authority

If you're watching this show on YouTube and you like this content, would you mind clicking on that subscribe button and that bell button to be notified when new content is being produced?
If you're listening to us on one of the audio podcast platforms, would you mind leaving us a five-star rating?
If the show's not a five-star rating show, send me a message and let me know what I can do to make this a better show.
Email Chuck at advertising at letstalkcabling.com and let's connect your brand to the right audience today.
Visit GoFar on LinkedIn or click on the link in the description below.

Support the show

Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com

Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH
#CBRCDD #RCDD

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We unpack fiber fundamentals, smarter Wi‑Fi design, and the practical gear that makes field work safer and faster. We also cover tester calibration, useful labeling, and how to hire and keep technicians who grow with the company.

• fiber core and cladding roles and refractive index
• starter toolkits and personal PPE for installers
• right-sizing home and data center Wi‑Fi with heat maps
• certifier calibration cycles and warranty requirements
• velcro vs tie wraps and airflow awareness
• pricing fixed bids with explicit assumptions
• mentoring new techs on safe fusion splicing
• conduit fill variables and de-rating
• standards-based labeling for faster maintenance
• predictive and validation surveys for reliable networks
• hiring for attitude, growth, and retention

Make sure that you send me questions for next week. DM me and I’ll do that one video for the Cat 6 cables through a two‑inch pipe, and I’ll make a YouTube video for it as well

Support the show

Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com

Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH
#CBRCDD #RCDD

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We break down the entrance facility as the building’s lifeline, explain demarcation and ownership, and show how bonding, grounding, and the 50‑foot rule protect uptime. We compare underground, direct buried, aerial, tunnel, and wireless entrances with clear pros, cons, and field tips.

• what the entrance facility includes and where it lives
• demarcation point meaning, color coding, and ownership
• sleeves, conduits, protection devices, and splice hardware
• field tasks for routing, sealing, surge protection, and terminations
• troubleshooting dial tone at the demarc with a butt set
• bonding and grounding basics and AHJ interpretations
• the 50‑foot rule and listed vs unlisted cable
• underground conduit advantages, sealing, and pulling tension
• direct buried tradeoffs, locating, tracer wire, and documentation
• aerial cost benefits, wind and ice risks, and drip loops
• tunnels and high‑heat safety considerations
• wireless links, weatherproofing, and coax practices
• copper, fiber, and coax variants and handling
• key takeaways to choose the right entrance method

Wednesday night, 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, what are you doing?
If you're watching this show on YouTube, would you mind hitting that subscribe button and the bell button to be notified when new content is being produced?
Would you mind leaving us a five-star rating?
Would you click on that QR code right there? You can schedule a 15-minute one-on-one call with me. Or you can even buy Let's Talk Cabling Merchandise or even buy me a cup of coffee.
Email Chuck at advertising at letstalkcabling.com and let's connect your brand to the right audience today.

Support the show

Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com

Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH
#CBRCDD #RCDD

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We return with industry updates and a stack of field questions, then dig into failed tests, fiber versus copper, PoE planning, hospital retrofit estimating, and the QA habits that prevent rework. The throughline is simple: document, communicate, and draw a hard line at safety and code.

• Saving original test files and reading diagnostics
• Verifying calibration and retesting comparable links
• Choosing copper or fiber based on EMI, distance, and PoE
• Proposing compliant alternatives when pushed to cut corners
• Breaking hospital retrofits into zones and shifts
• Building bid assumptions and weekly communication plans
• Pulling four‑pair and matching connectors for PoE reliability
• Running dual cables for wireless capacity and resilience
• Establishing a QA process with 10 percent checks and photos
• Assigning work by crew with traceable sign‑offs
• Scheduling postmortems to capture and share lessons

Make sure you pay attention to my feed on December 6th. I have a huge announcement coming out.

Support the show

Knowledge is power! Make sure to stop by the webpage to buy me a cup of coffee or support the show at https://linktr.ee/letstalkcabling . Also if you would like to be a guest on the show or have a topic for discussion send me an email at chuck@letstalkcabling.com

Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH
#CBRCDD #RCDD