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CFOTs - Register Now On The FOA Searchable Database of Installers, Contractors and Consultants

The FOA is compiling a database of CFOTs who do installation, contracting or consulting. Our goal is to have it as a searchable database for everyone needing a contractor, many of which call us at the FOA for advice.

The database lists CFOTs according to their areas of expertise and locations where they will do installs, plus a short description of their organization, work experience, etc. The database can be searched by any parameter so the user can get a close match to their needs for fiber optic expertise.

If you are a CFOT who wants to be listed, go to the FOA Installer Database and register now. As soon as the database is ready, we'll announce it to the world of end users.

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650 US Communities Have Some FTTH

According to a report by the market researchers Render Vanderslice, about 300,000 homes in the US are connected with fiber in over 650 communities in 46 states (missing only AK, HI, RI and NH.) Somewhat disappointingly, only 22% of homes passed are signing up, perhaps because they already have DSL or cable modem service and are satisfied or the telcos are not yet offering "triple play" (voice/data/video.) The fact that the take rate on non-RBOC offerings is more like 50% may indicate this assumption is correct. And "greenfield" or new construction take rates are about 75%, which is most encouraging. You can download the whole presentation at http://www.ftthcouncil.org/?t=33. RV predicts the US will have 1 million FTTH connections in another year or so, way far behind countries like Japan.

 

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What Competes With FTTH?

Ever wonder what are the technologies that compete with FTTH/FTTP for connecting users for broadband access. Jeff Baumgartner in the October 2005 issue of CED Magazine has compiled the most comprehensive list we've seen, defining all the technologies and even included home networking connections. It's worth a read, if nothing more than getting the acronyms straight - like EV-DO.

 

 

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New Technique For Terminating Singlemode Fibers

A new technique for singlemode termination is available on patchcords available from Megladon Manufcturing Group, Ltd. Their patented "Hardened Lens Contact" (HLC TM) method uses lasers to create a hardened lens on the end of the fiber which is then incorporated into a connector ferrule. Megladon claims their patented process ( U. S. patents 6,413,450 and 6,738,544) provides increased durability and high performance. We learned of Megladon from a very knowledgeable user who says their products do indeed work very well. It's worth taking a look at the white papers on their website.

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Developing a Cleanliness Standard for Singlemode Connectors

An article in Connector Specifier magazine talks about the iNEMI (International Electonics Manufacturing Initiative) project to research cleanliness issues and develop a standard for measuring cleanliness. the idea is to come up with standards as to what are acceptable and unacceptable features on the connector endface. It's complicated!

The Fiber Optic Signal Performance Project investigated the influence of scratches, particles and oil contamination on insertion loss (IL) and return loss (RL) of single-mode SC connectors. It was found that:
1. Scratches (2um or less), within MFD, have no impact on IL but can degrade RL.
2. Polishing scratches outside the fiber MFD have no impact on IL or RL.
3. Application of oil contamination resulted in significant degradation of RL (10-12 dB) and didn't result in any significant changes of IL.
4. The contamination of the zone near the core (diameter of 25 um) with Arizona dust particles increased IL (changes up to 1.8 dB).
5. The contamination of the zone near the core (diameter 25 um) and the presence of clusters of particles with diameter of >30um in the cladding layer may result in catastrophic changes of the RL (changes of 10-40 dB).
6. Arizona dust particles on the cladding layer (outside the 25 um zone) and ferrule do not significantly impact performance.
7. Contamination particles can prevent direct physical contact, creating an air gap between two endfaces.

 

Read more about it on the magazine website - you have to log in as Pennwell reader.

 

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Order The   Fiber Optics Technician's Manual directly from Amazon.com.

Third edition of The Fiber Optic Technicians Manual Now Available!   About 15% bigger, with new or updated material on most chapter subjects, including more "hands-on information, but the price remains the same, $54.95. ISBN No. 1401896995   FOTM Lab Manual is available from Delmar (ISBN:1418028754, Price: $19.95) with tons of hands on exercises.   An Instructor's Guide to the FOTM is also available from Delmar. (ISBN: 1401897002, Price: $33.95 ) For information on the Lab Manual or Instructors Guide, contact Delmar directly at 1-800-347-7707 for further information.   Remember the CFOT Test now uses the new edition, along with the new NECA/FOA-301 Installation Standard.

 

 

Another good book: Eric Pearson's Successful Fiber Optic Installation - a cookbook for fiber optics!

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Excess Fiber Inventory For Sale

Gamma Spectrums, Inc. has been the largest access recovery distributor for Alcatel USA in the last four years. They have a fiber optic inventory of $5.2 million standard cost value. The cable was re-spooled, tested and certified on June 30, 2005 (document attached) and has been stored in Gamma's warehouse in Dallas, TX. Should you have interest in large quantities of OSP cable, contact:
Laslo Olah
President

olah@gammaspectrum.com
www.gammaspectrum.com
P: (1) 972.907.2222
F: (1) 972.907.2581

 

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Jobs:

 

Fiber Design Engineer
Seeking a fiber design engineer for a contract or direct position preferably based out
of Birmingham AL or Charlotte NC. Requires a BSEE, or similar, and 3 or more years
experience in design and construction of telecommunications outside plant networks.
Other responsibilities include coordinating with municipalities / utilities as well as
general and sub contractors, supervising construction, quality checking the network post
construction and creating "as builts" to accurately document the network.
The successful candidate will develop a maintenance plan with P&L responsibility to
include general maintenance and break / fix accountability to maintain aggressive
service level agreements. We offer high growth potential with an aggressive organization.
Client is offering a competitive salary, health insurance and the potential for profit
sharing and or stock options based on performance.
Carey Wienrich, Fiber Optic Recruiter
Voice 800-711-8286
E-Mail job4photonics@aol.com
Web  <http://www.fitzrecruiters.com>

 

 

Senior Process Engineer
Reports To: Director of Research and Engineering
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Assist in the development, improvement and implementation of manufacturing procedures and facilities. Develop written S.O.P.s used in the manufacture and testing of specialty optical fibers, including metalized fibers. Design and implement improvements to all production processes and assume responsibility for the technical guidance on all production operations. Formulate and implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) capabilities. Maintain and repair equipment. Establish and maintain preventative maintenance and calibration schedules. Provide liaison and support as necessary, to Production in the research and development of new fibers and fiber products. Prepare for full scale production capabilities, based on new/revised production specs. Operate fiber drawing towers, assist in testing as necessary.
Salary: Open
Contact:
Mr. Joseph Pagano
CFO
Fiberguide Industries, Inc.
1 Bay Street
Stirling, NJ 07980
Fax No: (908) 647-6601
E-mail: jpagano@fiberguide.com

 

 

Check Last Month's Job Openings

 

 

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New PowerPoint Presentation In Spanish

A new PowerPoint presentation in Spanish for instructors and anyone else interested has been posted on the FOA website for free downloading. It is an explanation of fiber optics in Spanish, created by Francisco Castro Cabrera of Mexico City, who is starting up our new FOA chapter in Mexico. It is complementary to our PowerPoint introduction to fiber optics in English. Here is more information on the presentation in Spanish.

 

 

 

 

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FOA CFOT Renewals Get Free Copy of NECA/FOA Installation Standard

Every CFOT will now receive a free copy of NECA 301-2004, Installing And Testing Fiber Optic Cables, produced by The FOA in cooperation with NECA (The National Electrical Contractors Association). This is an important reference document for defining the installation and testing of fiber optic cable plants in a "neat and workmanlike manner."

The FOA feels this is such an important document that we are giving a free copy (normally priced at $15) to every active CFOT when they renew their active status.

The FOA has also sent free copies to all FOA-Approved schools. The new FOA CFOT exam to be used after August, 2005, will include questions from the standard. Schools should be including information from the standard in their classes already.

 

 

 

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Tech Puzzler

From a reader: If had to convince someone that fiber was the way of the future, how would you do it? I think that fiber should be the choice in greenfield applications and any new projects that would be started. Please let me know the way you would approach this type of problem.

 

Answer below

 

 

 

 

New Tech Topics

Does Glass "Flow"? Is it really a liquid?

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on General Topics and Testing

Fiber Or Copper? Making decisions, overview and LANs

What Happens When You Mate Mismatched MM Fibers?

 

New PowerPoint Presentation Introduces Fiber Optics - in English or Spanish!

The FOA has created a short PowerPoint presentation that introduces you to fiber optics and talks about job opportunities in the field. It was intended for instructors to introdcue studnets to the field, but it's a good introduction for anyone. It's about 3 meg file so it takes a while to download and you need PowerPoint to view it. See http://www.thefoa.org/ppt/

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FOA Website Expands To Support Fiber Optic Educators

Instructors' Home Page And New Online Train-The-Trainer Program
The FOA has always focused on creating better educational opportunities in fiber optics - it's our charter: we're a non-profit educational organization. We've done two things recently to expand that commitment - both here on the FOA website.

We have over 120 schools and hundreds of instructors teaching at those organizations, and we'll notify them about these new web pages, but we invite any instructor interested in fiber optics to dig in and use these pages too.

First, we've created a home page for instructors where we'll cover topics just for them, like our TTT program and resources just for instructors. It's at http://www.thefoa.org/instructors/index.html

Secondly, we've put our TTT seminar online, in both PPT and PDF format at http://www.thefoa.org/instructors/index.html

 

Our online TTT program is the beginning of qualifying for the FOA CFOS/I Instructor Certification. Soon we'll have the program set up for instructors to register to begin qualifying for the certification.

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FOA Certification Top Choice

The FOA CFOT and CFOS programs continue to gain momentum in fiber optics. Over 15,000 CFOTs have been certified by over 120 schools as the FOA completed its 10th year. Since our founding in July, 1995, we have dedicated ourselves to promoting fiber optics and professionalism in fiber optics personnel, focusing on education and certification. We are continuing to add new schools and more CFOTs as users of fiber optics learn that a CFOT is the indication of a professional, well-trained fiber optic technician. Now with FTTH (fiber to the home) finally taking off, demand for CFOTs is rising and schools are responding by expanding programs rapidly.

The FOA now has approved programs at 125+ organizations, welcoming new additions like the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Corning Cable Systems for their installation training programs and NASA's Goldstone Tracking Station. The complete list of FOA-Approved schools is at http://www.thefoa.org/foa_aprv.htm.

Your Name, CFOT - It pays to advertise!

The FOA encourages CFOTs to use the logo on their business cards, letterhead, truck or van, etc. and provides logo files on this site for that purpose. But we are also asked about how to use the CFOT or CFOS certifications. Easy, you can refer to yourself as "Your Name, CFOT" or "Your Name, CFOS/T" for example.

Feel free to use the logo and designations to promote your achievements and professionalism!

Remember To Renew Your Certification !

Remember to renew your FOA certification. All current CFOTs have a ID Card with their certification data and we keep a database of current CFOTs to answer inquiries regarding your qualifications if needed. If you forgot to renew, use the online application form or the FOA online store to renew NOW!

To Contact The FOA:

 

The Fiber Optic Association

1119 S Mission Road, # 355

Fallbrook, CA 92028

 

Office Hours 10AM-5 PM Pacific Time

Telephone: 760-451-3655

Fax: 781-207-2421

info@thefoa.org
info@thefoa.org

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Officers and Board of Directors Jim Hayes, President, Treasurer Eric Pearson, Director of Certification Tom Collins, Gateway Comm. College Bill Graham Karen Hayes   FOA Staff: Jim Hayes, newsletter, website editor Karen Hayes, Administration Administration: The FOA is managed under contract by: VDV Works LLC 1119 S Mission Road, # 355 Fallbrook, CA 92028 Telephone: 760-451-3655 Fax: 781-207-2421 email: info@vdvworks.com

FOA Board of Advisors Elias Awad, Clerk, Director of Education Tony Beam Dave Chaney F. Douglas Elliot, Past President William H. Graham Jim Hayes, President, Treasurer John Highhouse, Past President Danny S. Lyall Eric Y. Loytty Bob Mason Eric Pearson Paul Rosenberg, Past President Dan Silver Richard James Smith Dominick Tamone Tom Collins Van Ewert Elias Awad

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(C)1999-2005, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Tech Puzzler: The most compelling argument is that one type of fiber, 62.5/125 FDDI grade multimode, has been used while about 8 generations of copper wiring were used (Thicknet, thinnet, Cat 3, Cat 4, Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6 and awaiting augmented Cat 6.) That's a lot of installation cost saved and abandoned cables that will someday need removal.
Today, installing backbone 50/125 laser-optimized fiber with some SM in the same cable is a no-brainer. You're good to 10G on the multimode or use the SM as long as you need it.
Even electronics are cheaper now.
Have you seen the cost model on the FOLS website (http://fols.org/news/pr.cfm?id=18)?