Let's Talk Cabling!

Hosted by Chuck Bowser, RCDD, TECH

Technology Careers Management

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Episodes

422

Latest episode

Oct 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

October 21, 202637 min

Ten Practical Tips For Designing A Reliable Access Control System Part 2

Send us Fan Mail We break down what makes an access control and fire alarm related panel build dependable when the power drops and the service calls start piling up. We share practical rules for battery backup, labeling, wire routing, ventilation, documentation, and the codes and certifications that shape life-safety work. • planning battery backup time and enclosure space limits • learning why repeated fire alarm faults trigger fire watch • building cleaner panels through consistent labeling schemes • pairing port based labels with plain English locations • using drip loops and square routing for serviceability • keeping wiring tidy with Velcro and smart slack • avoiding heat problems with proper ventilation choices • budgeting for expansion without overspending up front • choosing machine labels and dating batteries on install • closing projects with as builts and equipment inventories • understanding IBC and NFPA 101 impacts on egress doors • navigating manufacturer training plus NICET style requirements by jurisdiction Let me know down below if you like this kind of content. Should I do more of it? And also don't forget that we got our three CEC courses: Firestopping, Bonding and Grounding, Codes versus Standards. https://letstalkcabling.com/learn/ Support the show Knowledge is power! Visit our webpage to find out ways you can support the show. Also if you would like to be a guest on the show, please complete the application . Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

October 20, 202632 min

AHL: Telecom Project Management Toolkit

Send us Fan Mail We move fast through the real-world questions that decide whether an ICT job runs smoothly or spirals into rework, delays, and budget surprises. We share practical field habits for project management, safety, grounding, and closeout that help crews finish clean and keep customers happy. • acronym challenge and a retrofit versus new construction preference • fiber optic cable manufacturing growth tied to data center expansion • upcoming shows, travel, meetups, and training options • difference between design project manager and telecommunications project manager responsibilities • what goes into a submittal, why approvals matter, and how shop drawings fit • SWOT analysis basics and internal versus external factors • cost performance index (CPI) as a budget health signal and why context matters • raised access floor hazards in data centers and how to secure the work area • improving interpersonal skills through active listening, clear writing, and sharing bad news • best practices for bonding racks, TEBC routing, compression lugs, and prep steps • arc welder EMI separation distances and why interference matters • what a star washer does for bonding reliability • housekeeping closeout steps that leave the site better than found go to let's talkcabling.com forward slash ask dash chuck dash live, and sign up to become a member Support the show Knowledge is power! Visit our webpage to find out ways you can support the show. Also if you would like to be a guest on the show, please complete the application . Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

October 14, 202635 min

Ten Practical Tips For Designing A Reliable Access Control System Part 1

Send us Fan Mail PART 1: We bring in access control specialist Mick from Trican Security to break down what really makes an access control system reliable, starting with the door and ending with the power math. We talk through the real-world choices that decide whether a system feels rock solid or becomes a constant service call. • using the door schedule to confirm swing, handing, and hardware before design decisions • thinking beyond the door to egress paths, secure side vs unsecure side, and auxiliary requirements • mapping the core door components: DPS, locking hardware, and REX for door forced logic • weighing maglocks vs strikes, including alignment risks and key override realities • choosing fail safe vs fail secure based on perimeter security and operational needs • designing free egress and understanding how fire alarm interfaces can change door behavior • selecting access control cabling, including composite banana cable and panel-side organization • calculating total power draw, planning 12V vs 24V loads, and sizing battery backup runtime If you're watching this show on YouTube, would you mind hitting the subscribe button and don't forget that bell button to notify us when new content is coming out? 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, when 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. Email Chuck at advertising at let's talkcabling.com and let's connect your brand to the right audience today. Support the show Knowledge is power! Visit our webpage to find out ways you can support the show. Also if you would like to be a guest on the show, please complete the application . Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

October 14, 202640 min

AHL: Straight Answers On Cabling, Fiber Cleaning, And Career Growth

Send us Fan Mail We take live questions from the low voltage and structured cabling world, from fiber deployment choices to real-life career moves that help you earn more without leaving the industry. We also share quick hits from the week’s ICT news and get practical about what works on jobsites and what quietly causes failures. NEWS STORIES THIS WEEK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BICSI REBRAND: https://www.bicsi.org/leadership-community/news-insights/news-press-releases/2026/meeting-ai-demand-bicsi-transforms-alongside-telecommunications-infrastructure/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Louisiana Broad Band Expansion: https://www.lightreading.com/broadband/the-buildout-rev-fiber-begins-louisiana-bead-build ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Data Center in Louisiana https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/07/data-center-louisiana-hut-8-anthropic ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ • Copper vs fiber tradeoffs and why fiber is not always the answer • OBS meaning organizational breakdown structure and how it helps projects • BICSI brand refresh and what it signals for training and standards • Louisiana broadband expansion and the BEAD funding wave • Data center growth tied to AI and the downstream impact on labor and materials • Lightning protection certification options and what “certified” really means • UL firestop system designation basics and how to read the letters and numbers • Air blown fiber basics using microducts plus key advantages for upgrades • Backbone cabling choices across twisted pair, coax, multimode, and single mode • Why canned air is not recommended for cleaning fiber connectors • Career paths after years in the field design, estimating, project management, training • How to judge whether to stay or leave when advancement stalls • Skills that increase pay fiber optics, testing and troubleshooting, design learning • Handling sink or swim assignments without pretending you know it all • Armored fiber vs loose tube fiber and what interduct is really for So go to Let's Talk Cabling.com forward slash ask dash chuck dash live. Join the crew, become a part of that. Support the show Knowledge is power! Visit our webpage to find out ways you can support the show. Also if you would like to be a guest on the show, please complete the application . Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

October 7, 202620 min

If You Can Do A Jigsaw Puzzle You Can Do ESD Floors

Send us Fan Mail We keep building out the podcast studio and use it to test a service low voltage contractors can add fast: anti-static flooring that protects network electronics from electrostatic discharge. We break down where ESD flooring actually makes sense, how to sell the protection instead of the product, and the simple steps to install and bond interlocking tiles to ground. • why static electricity quietly damages switches, servers, and routers • how to decide if a telecom room really needs ESD flooring • positioning anti-static flooring as risk reduction and uptime protection • what surprised us about floating interlocking tile systems • prep and layout basics using center lines and directional arrows • the three simple tools we use to install and cut tiles • bonding the floor to ground with copper tape and continuity • a fast cut-and-fit trick for tight walls and corners • joining TextGiving to upgrade technology for families in need 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? Would you mind clicking that QR code right there? You can buy me a cup of coffee. You can schedule a 15-minute one-on-one call with me after hours, of course. And you can also buy Let's Talk Cabling Merchandise. You should join us at TextGiving this year. Email Chuck at advertising at letstalkcabling.com and let's connect your brand to the right audience today. Support the show Knowledge is power! Visit our webpage to find out ways you can support the show. Also if you would like to be a guest on the show, please complete the application . Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

October 6, 202636 min

AHL: Field Notes For Low Voltage Pros

Send us Fan Mail We trade quick industry news with practical answers to the questions technicians and new project managers run into every week, from fiber expansion headlines to the details that keep installs clean and safe. We share what we do to reduce rework, tighten project communication, and stay ready for emergencies on site. • live stream schedule changes and a new “pick one” opener • NFPA meaning and why it matters in the trades • fiber optic industry updates on sensing, supply, and 400G growth • stub up versus stub out definitions for conduit work • latching duct raceway best practices, adhesives, anchors, and clean cuts • CPR, first aid, tourniquets, and how Good Samaritan laws reduce risk • ladder safety fundamentals plus real world transport hazards • TR drawings, rack elevations, and customer sign-off to prevent changes • stipulated sum, cost plus, and unit price contract basics • OBS meaning and why project plans include it • single mode light sources versus multimode options • virtual servers explained for data center environments • fiber optic cable lifespan, moisture migration, brittleness, and OTDR testing "you can find access how to get into that group by going to let's talk cablining.com forward slash ask dash chuck dash live." Industry News: https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/comcast-introduces-smart-fiber-sensing-platform-to-further-enhance-industry-leading-network-reliability https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2026/09/att-and-corning-team-up-to-engineer-the-connected-world-with-fiber.html https://www.ekinops.com/news/customers/ekinops-powers-bluebird-fiber-s-midwest-network-investments-for-growing-infrastructure-demand Support the show Knowledge is power! Visit our webpage to find out ways you can support the show. Also if you would like to be a guest on the show, please complete the application . Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

October 1, 202635 min

AHL: Smart Answers For Cabling Pros

Send us Fan Mail We run through 10 fast, field-tested questions that hit the problems installers and designers face when they need answers they can use right away. We connect rules of thumb to real design limits so you can plan cleaner pathways, protect signal quality, and avoid expensive rework. • sizing underground conduit using cable OD plus pulling eye clearance • planning pull points beyond the memorized 600-foot spacing for single mode fiber • decoding firestopping terms like listed, tested, certified and why the UL system drawing matters • understanding what happens when you connect 62.5 micron fiber to 50 micron fiber • explaining fiber loss budget math using a simple bank account model • distinguishing common mode from differential mode interference and why pair balance matters • choosing open ceiling vs drop ceiling in telecom rooms based on access and cooling needs • using a patch panel to horizontal wire manager rack unit rule of thumb • adjusting patch cord allowances when using 28 AWG cords and considering PoE resistance • keeping power and communications separated inside shared utility columns using barriers and bonding Make sure you go to Let’s Talk Cabling.com forward slash learn. Make sure you join the Let’s Talk Cabling crew. Go to Let’s Talk Cabling.com forward slash ask dash Chuck Dash Live. Send me a message with content you want to see me produce. Support the show Knowledge is power! Visit our webpage to find out ways you can support the show. Also if you would like to be a guest on the show, please complete the application . Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

September 29, 202645 min

Fault Managed Power Explained

Send us Fan Mail We break down what fault managed power systems are and why Class 4 “digital electricity” is becoming a real requirement for cabling pros, not a niche curiosity. With Ronna Davis from VoltServer and the FMP Alliance, we connect the code, the cabling, and the jobsite reality so techs and PMs can prepare instead of getting left behind. • fault managed power defined through NEC 2023 and UL 1400-1 and UL 1400-2 safety standards • why “limited energy” replaces “low voltage” as voltages rise but fault energy stays controlled • what actually runs over the pair and why FMPS data is circuit control, not network traffic • common cable gauges and what changes as FMPS moves toward data centers • leading applications like small cells, DAS, Wi‑Fi, security, powering IDFs and network enclosures • addressing fear about scope and focusing on labor shortages and getting more trained hands onsite • what changes in NEC 2026 and the push toward clearer code organization in future cycles • design best practices starting with load, power over distance, and centralized power planning • the transmitter cabling receiver model and why central UPS strategies can cut complexity • where to get trained through NECA, BICSI, the FMP Alliance, and vendors • why AI data centers care about power density, footprint, modular scaling, and rapid deployment • how to follow and join the FMP Alliance and where to learn more from VoltServer 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? Wednesday night, 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, what are you doing? You should join us at TextGiving This Year. Email Chuck at advertising at letstalkcabling.com and let's connect your brand to the right audience today. When you click on that QR code right there, you can buy me a cup of coffee. Support the show Knowledge is power! Visit our webpage to find out ways you can support the show. Also if you would like to be a guest on the show, please complete the application . Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

September 24, 202638 min

AHL: Field Lessons For Low Voltage Techs

Send us Fan Mail We run through a rapid set of real-world low voltage questions, from multimeter cable length estimates to what your certifier’s “Level 3E” label really means. We also dig into the jobsite choices that quietly drive callbacks, disputes, downtime, and overheated equipment. • estimating copper cable length with loop resistance and a multimeter, plus what impacts accuracy • understanding Level 3 vs Level 3E cable certifiers and why backwards compatible is not forwards compatible • defining the uncertainty zone and why we never accept star pass or star fail results • troubleshooting marginal certification results through terminations, pair untwist, damage, bend radius, and tester setup • explaining fiber connector undercut and how it can affect insertion loss and reflectance • setting practical vertical clearance for stacked cable tray tiers to help today’s install and future adds • weighing the risks of electrical transformers in telecom rooms, including heat, space, and separation guidance • preventing OSP cable damage with pulling tension limits, breakaway swivels, grips, bend radius, and inspections • breaking down mediation vs arbitration and why documentation and change orders matter • translating asynchronous vs synchronous transmission into plain English examples • setting fusion splice loss expectations, what to troubleshoot, and why customer specs win • simplifying redundancy terms N, N+1, N+2, 2N, and 2N+1 with an easy UPS example • choosing security camera FOV based on distance, resolution, identification goals, and sun position over the year • managing heat in small enclosed cabinets with PoE switches, UPSs, open space, and fan kits Make sure you send your questions for next week’s show. Support the show Knowledge is power! Visit our webpage to find out ways you can support the show. Also if you would like to be a guest on the show, please complete the application . Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

September 21, 202629 min

When Cable Fails Part 3

Send us Fan Mail We walk through the cable test results that look “fine” until you understand what the graphs are really saying, from split pairs that still link up to length readings that don’t match reality. Along the way, we share practical ways to spot water intrusion, validate extended distance copper, and avoid patch cord mistakes that can quietly break PoE. • split pairs and transposed pairs causing crosstalk and data loss even with a link light • cable length vs electrical length plus propagation delay and delay skew for gig speeds • why NVP settings matter and how faked settings show up in project-wide test reviews • return loss patterns that point to water in the cable and using HDTDR to locate it • pulling lubricant vs water symptoms and how insertion loss can improve as lube dries • extended distance cabling and selecting vendor-specific test limits in the tester • alien crosstalk testing workflow using saved results, disturbed links, and disturbers • thin patch cords, PoE risk from rising resistance, and using the correct adapters for patch cord tests So make sure you join us for this conversation and let me know in the comments below if you enjoyed this episode and should I do more like this? Email Chuck at advertising at letstalkcabling.com and let's connect your brand to the right audience today. Support the show Knowledge is power! Visit our webpage to find out ways you can support the show. Also if you would like to be a guest on the show, please complete the application . Chuck Bowser RCDD TECH #CBRCDD #RCDD

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