Let's Talk Cabling!

Hosted by Chuck Bowser, RCDD, TECH

Technology Careers ManagementInterviews guests

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Episodes

390

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to "Let's Talk Cabling" – the award-winning podcast that's your ultimate gateway to the dynamic world of information and communications technology (ICT). If you're aged 18 to 40 and thrive in the ICT industry or simply curious about it, this podcast is your must-listen destination! 🏆 Award-Winning Excellence: "Let's Talk Cabling" is proud to have earned recognition for its outstanding content and invaluable insights in the ICT field. Our commitment to educating and empowering individuals like you has garnered us a prestigious industry award, a testament to the quality of information you'll find here. 🌐 Explore the ICT Universe: Join us as we delve deep into the realm of designing, installing, certifying, estimating, and project managing low voltage projects across diverse industries. Whether you're an industry veteran or just starting your journey, our engaging discussions will enrich your knowledge and skills. 🎙️ Story-Driven Learning: We follow the captivating StoryBrand methodology to ensure every episode is not just informative but also captivating. Expect real-world anecdotes, expert interviews, and relatable narratives that make learning about cabling and ICT a fascinating experience. 🚀 Subscribe Today: Don't miss out on the power of knowledge! Hit that subscribe button and embark on an exciting journey with "Let's Talk Cabling." Whether you're on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, or your preferred podcast platform, we're here to educate, encourage, and enrich your ICT endeavors. Remember, in the world of ICT, knowledge is power, and we're here to empower you. Join our growing community of ICT enthusiasts today! #cbrcdd #rcdd #wiremonkey #BICSI

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 202638 min

Why InfoComm Belongs On A Cabler’s Calendar

Send us Fan MailInfoComm can sound like “an AV show,” but if you pull cable for a living, it’s really a massive showcase of where low voltage work is headed next. We sit down with Bob Neyens, VP at Vertical Cable and a long-time InfoComm regular, to translate the pro AV world into plain English and show exactly why structured cabling installers, project foremen, project managers, and designers can get real value from attending.We talk about what you’ll actually find at InfoComm: professional audio video for commercial spaces like boardrooms, houses of worship, bars, stadiums, and even hospitals, with tons of crossover into IP networks and familiar infrastructure like Cat 6, Cat 6A, fiber, racks, and connectors. Bob shares practical exhibit hall tactics for first-timers, including how to avoid the most chaotic day, when to schedule booth conversations, and how manufacturer events and networking work after hours.Then we get specific about skills and career growth: AVIXA training, CTS certifications like CTS-I and CTS-D, and why the show floor can teach you what a classroom can’t by letting you see complete systems running together. We also dig into tech that matters for 2026, including the move from Cat 6 to Cat 6A for higher bandwidth and distance, plus Power over Ethernet and why copper quality matters as current loads increase. If you want a new revenue stream that stays close to your current skill set, this is the roadmap.Subscribe for more conversations that connect the low voltage community, and if this helps, share it with a tech who’s been curious about pro AV and leave us a rating or review.Support the showKnowledge 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

June 11, 202633 min

AHL: Future Proofing Low Voltage

Send us Fan MailWe take rapid-fire questions from the field and turn them into practical guidance for low voltage pros who want stronger designs, cleaner execution, and fewer budget surprises. We get blunt about what really drives performance and profit, from cable pathways and fiber choices to labor risk, change control, and training. • Framing AI-ready buildings around business outcomes not hype • Future-proofing with larger cable pathways and extra dark fiber • Building leadership by earning trust through quality and problem solving • Communicating clearly with project managers and customers • Thinking like a leader by learning budgets schedules and expectations • Avoiding estimating traps like labor guesswork missed infrastructure and site logistics • Handling scope creep by documenting every change and showing schedule impact • Planning cabling for Wi-Fi 7 including Cat 6A considerations and PoE realities • Reducing healthcare infrastructure risk through growth planning and EMI awareness • Protecting quality during labor shortages with training mentorship and visible recognition • Keeping smart buildings usable through interoperability and outcome-driven automation • Staying involved in construction so designers learn from the field and improve bids • Tracking hyperscale data center trends like high-density fiber prefabrication and single mode • Knowing when a bid is too risky by spotting red flags and GC reputation Make sure to send me your questions. They might show up in next week's show. Support the showKnowledge 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

June 9, 202641 min

Basic Electricity For Low Voltage Installers

Send us Fan MailDue to technical difficulties we bring back a great episode with JATC instructors to make volts, amps, current, and watts feel practical for low voltage work as PoE and modern power delivery move into our lane. We trade water-pressure analogies, real safety stories, and jobsite mistakes so you can size power correctly and stop burning up gear. • why PoE and fault managed power make electricity fundamentals mandatory for ICT techs • voltage as electrical pressure between two points and why “low voltage” depends on audience • how voltage ratings and mixed cabling types can create code and safety issues • amps, current, and heat as the real-world limiters for conductors, bundles, and racks • AC vs DC confusion in the field and how mismatched power supplies destroy equipment • electrical safety explained as volts and amps combining into dangerous wattage in the body • watts as work, watt-hours as billing, and why PoE wattage keeps climbing • end-of-line voltage, resistance, and voltage drop affecting device performance • common low voltage mistakes with power delivery and how to avoid “letting the smoke out” • learning resources: All About Circuits, manufacturer PoE training, EveryCircuit, FOA and Uncle Ted’s If you're watching the show on YouTube, would you mind hitting the 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 giving us a five-star rating? And finally, while this show is free and will always remain free, if you find value in this content, will you click on that QR code right there?Support the showKnowledge 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

June 2, 202629 min

Are You Installing Cable Or Engineering Performance

Send us Fan MailPerfect-looking terminations and clean certification results can still hide the interference that slows networks weeks later. We break down EMI, RFI, and crosstalk in plain terms, then lay out the practical install rules that protect performance and your reputation. • why EMI is invisible but disruptive to Ethernet signals • common EMI sources on job sites, from lights to motors to transformers • the real cost of downtime and why customers only remember performance • how crosstalk differs from EMI and where it comes from • near-end, far-end, power sum, and alien crosstalk explained • termination mistakes that create marginal passes and failures • Cat 6A, higher frequencies, and the cable combing debate • prevention rules: separation, preserving twists, pathway fill, and bend limits • cable tray and bundling tips, including PoE heat concerns • shielding done right with proper bonding and grounding If you're watching this show on YouTube, would you mind hitting the subscribe button and the bell button to be notified when new content's being produced? If you're listening to us on one of the audio podcast platforms, would you mind leaving us a five-star rating? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below what's the worst EMI or crosstalk issue that you've ever encountered in a project. Drop your story in the comments below. Support the showKnowledge 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

May 28, 202636 min

From Cable Dressing To Closeout How Pros Protect Profit

Send us Fan MailWe come back live after a short break and jump into rapid fire field questions that hit the real pressure points in structured cabling work. We talk about protecting quality, protecting profit, and building a career that keeps up with the pace of the low voltage industry. • planning cable bundles before the first pull so racks stay clean • keeping the telecom room controlled so patching does not undo your work • choosing Velcro for serviceability and avoiding overtightened ties • using ANSI style rack unit and port numbering for small installs • avoiding estimating traps like missing labor factors and wrong averages • budgeting mobilization time and project management hours up front • catching scope gaps early and treating change orders like leverage • separating certifications from competence while staying a continuous learner • treating closeout as a day one process with documentation and test results • learning project management skills after you have real field reps • understanding pathways, bend radius, fill ratios, and why they matter • explaining to management that quality prevents expensive rework • balancing fiber growth with copper realities for PoE and edge devices • earning leadership opportunities through solutions, clarity, training, and accountability If you ever have any questions, DM me and I'll help answer those for you for your studying. Support the showKnowledge 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

May 19, 202634 min

Stop Playing Cable Detective

Send us Fan MailWe get real about why bad labels turn simple service calls into expensive downtime and frustration for techs and customers. We define telecommunications administration, break down how it scales from a small office to enterprise sites, and share practical labeling rules that hold up years later.• why messy telecom room labels force “detective work”• what telecommunications administration means beyond paperwork• how ANSI standards and the BICSI TDMM guide consistent labeling and records• the operational payoff: faster MACs, less downtime, better capacity planning• the four administration classes and what complexity changes• when Automated Infrastructure Management (AIM) starts to fit• why machine-printed labels beat Sharpie for finished work• examples of labels that “tell a story” from outlet to rack and port• why labeling by room number breaks over time• how color coding helps but cannot replace documentation• best practices: label both ends with the same ID and keep it consistent• why documentation, drawings, and rack elevations complete the systemIf this episode helped you understand telecom administration just a little bit better, would you just share it with another wire monkey to try to help that level up this industry?Support the showKnowledge 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

May 5, 202619 min

Stop Faking Cable Test Results

Send us Fan MailWe take on a hard jobsite reality: being asked to fake cable certification results to close out a project and secure a manufacturer warranty. We explain why that choice is fraud, how it wrecks trust and careers, and what doing it right looks like for technicians, contractors, manufacturers, and customers.• why faking certification results is fraud and not a shortcut • warranty audits and how manufacturers spot red flags • real business fallout: rejected systems, retesting costs, back charges, lost customers • legal exposure: breach of contract, fraudulent documentation, lawsuits, insurance issues • what to do when a boss pressures you: comply vs push back and document • practical technician rules: never sign work you did not do, save native test data, protect your name • raising the bar: train for quality, clarify certification vs verification vs qualification • industry accountability: random audits, native file requirements, third party validation, smarter buying If you're listening to this show on one of the audio podcast platforms, would you mind leaving us a five-star rating? Wednesday nights, 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, I do a live stream where you get to ask your favorite RCDD. If you find value in this content when you click on that QR code right there, you can schedule a 15-minute one-on-one call with me. Or even buy a Let's Talk Cabling t-shirt. If you want to be a part of this project, make sure that you contact me. Drop a comment, send a story, send a message.Support the showKnowledge 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

April 21, 20261 hr 10 min

Hollow-Core And Multi-Core Fiber Explained

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with fiber optics expert John Bruno to talk about what is changing fastest in fiber and what those changes mean for real technicians and designers. We dig into hollow-core fiber, multi-core fiber, and MMC connectors, then zoom out to the mindset and habits that build a long career in the ICT and low voltage trades. • why fiber demand keeps rising with AI data centers and infrastructure buildouts • the case for trades and apprenticeships alongside college paths and the debt question • hollow-core fiber basics, why latency and attenuation matter and why price matters too • what hollow-core could mean for long distance and subsea networks • multi-core fiber explained, what multiple cores change and what it could replace • splicing, testing, bend sensitivity and crosstalk concerns with next-gen fiber types • MMC connectors for extreme density and why rack space drives connector innovation • how install speed improves while troubleshooting and repair get more complex • misinformation in fiber, common myths and how solid procedures beat ego • career advice for the next generation, learn daily, make mistakes and keep going If you’re watching this show on YouTube, would you mind hitting the subscribe button and the 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 you find value in this content, will you click on that QR code right there? You can buy me a cup of coffee. You can even schedule a 15-minute one-on-one call with me after hours, of course. You can even buy Let’s Talk Cabling merchandise. Support the showKnowledge 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

April 16, 202630 min

Installation Habits That Protect Data Cable Performance

Send us Fan MailWe answer rapid-fire questions that separate pretty cabling from high-performing structured cabling systems, from tie-wrap pressure and bend radius to the real reasons links fail certification. We also get practical about project realities like crushed schedules, scope creep, testing expectations, and the skills that keep techs and PMs valuable as AI and fiber adoption grow. • choosing Velcro or tie wraps without crushing the jacket • quick bend radius checks that prevent hidden damage • diagnosing certification failures beyond “clean” terminations • protecting pair twist and performance over rack cosmetics • balancing speed and quality with mid-project checkpoints • avoiding new PM mistakes around handling limits and testing types • stopping scope creep with documentation and change orders • when to stick with one manufacturer for headroom and warranty • angled patch panels versus flat panels and rack space tradeoffs • running a real site walk with ladder flashlight PPE and access questions • where AI hits first and how field work changes later • why copper and fiber both stay relevant plus the top future skills Make sure you come back next Wednesday night. Support the showKnowledge 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

April 14, 202628 min

How Volunteering On The BICSI Board Shapes The ICT Industry

Send us Fan MailWe break down how BICSI leadership really works and why volunteering is one of the most direct ways to improve the ICT industry. Justin Hobbs shares what the Board focuses on, how the LDC protects the election process, and why servant leadership matters more than titles. • why volunteering keeps ICT moving forward • what the BICSI Board of Directors does at a high level • how operations and strategy stay separate • what the Leadership Development Committee does as checks and balances • what kind of candidate thrives and who should not run • the real time commitment including quarterly meetings and election-season interviews • term limits, accountability, and preserving institutional knowledge • the nomination process from application to interviews to the member vote • pushing past imposter syndrome and choosing willingness over perfection If you're listening to us on YouTube, would you mind hitting the subscribe button and the 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? Wednesday night, 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, what are you doing? If you find value in this content, number one, share the content with somebody. Number two, you can would you click on that QR code right there? You can buy me a cup of coffee. You can even schedule a 15-minute one-on-one call with me after hours, of course. Support the showKnowledge 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