Disconnects cured

[duncan]

For many years I've had problems matainaing a stable connection.  I am a long way from the exchange, attenuation is bad and I only manage 512K fixed.   So I've always been struggling to improve things.  Experimenting with different routers, getting BT to move the master socket closer to the pole, special faceplates, high quality cable, expensive microfilters, all the usual stuff.  Occasionally I thought I noticed an improvement only to have my hopes dashed again.  Same old disconnects every few minutes.  Router reporting thousands of errors.  Very tiresome.

A few months back I saw a recommendation to try this device: http://www.merchantamerica.com/kyfilters/
I didn't hold out much hope but it was pretty cheap even from the US.  All I can say is WOW!  For the last 3 months my connection has been transformed.  Rock solid for days at a time.  ZERO errors.  This guy deserves a medal. 

Now I don't know where the interference came from that this has cured, and it may not work for you, but if you are pulling your hair out (like I was) give it a try.  (Incidentally I bought the RF-1)

Duncan

[Steve]

How did you decide which one to purchase?

[Sebby]

Very interesting, thanks. I'm glad your issues are sorted.

[duncan]

There's a bit more info here: http://www.ky-filters.com/filters.htm which makes it clear that the RF-1 is the one for ADSL.  The AM filter compromises the ADSL signal.

Duncan

[Steve]

Thanks, Obviously the AM filter would sove the problem completely!!!!

[Rik]

I take it BT didn't ever try fitting an RF filter, Duncan? They have pretty much the same device available to them.

[Steve]

Is there a downside to this device? it seems a very elegant way of reducing noise. If fitted and not required what problems may arise? Or is the spectrum of noise which causes connection issues not  covered by this device?

[Rik]

I'm assuming it's a narrow-pass filter, Steve, so should have no impact on the signal, but will keep the noise out of the circuit. BT do use something similar if required, Dean's the expert on this.

[Steve]

I was wondering whether to try one its, 24 dollars plus shipping, I wonder if this could reduce my error count and thus have interleave removed

[Rik]

It depends where the noise pickup is, Steve. I'd be inclined to give one a go, but then I'm good at spending other people's money.

[Steve]

I have ordered one, shipping was free. If its no use to me I can always pass it on to a more worthy user.

[Rik]

Keep us posted.

[g7pkf]

Id like to get hold of one just to rip it apart and see if i could (bet i could) make them for less.

if they work that is

[Gary]

They look interesting but a name change for the UK would help K-Y Filter sounds very..... 

[g7pkf]

also on the front page of sam knows there is the following.

sorry for the long post but idnet?  can i have one when they come in?

BT Wholesale assembled journalists from a wide range of technology websites at it's Gatwick offices yesterday as we begin the countdown to the launch of Wholesale Broadband Connect in six weeks. BT were keen to demonstrate the plethora of new techniques designed to help improve broadband throughput on the new 21CN-based wholesale product.

They began by demonstrating how simply changing your ADSL modem could have a dramatic impact on your throughput; one such demonstration showed a 20% reduction in speed just by changing modem on a standard ADSL line. Another test showed how a faulty power supply on a fluorescent light caused one line to drop from around 4Mbps to just 470kbps. Whilst these effects will not be news to many familiar with broadband, it is important to realise that the effects would be even more pronounced on an ADSL2+ line.

Forcing end users to use specific hardware is not an option for BT Wholesale, although they will be publishing minimum hardware requirements and providing testing facilities for ISPs to test their chosen equipment. An upgraded WOOSH system (the system that BT and their ISPs use to diagnose line faults) offered vastly improved details on both the connection speed and stability of a users connection.

But perhaps the most impressive innovation came in the form of the interstitial plate. This small box greatly reduces the impact of electrical interference and can be installed without the need to disconnect any wires when fitting it. Note that a standard ADSL filter is still required as well though.

This neat solution was demonstrated in conjunction with the faulty fluorescent light too and saw the connection speed climb back up to 3.6Mbps from 470kbps - a massive improvement. Of course, this is an extreme example and just a demonstration; your mileage will vary. BT conceded that the new filters may not be ready for mass production by launch at the end of April, but they were hoping to make them available to ISPs soon after at a very low price.

The afternoon was wrapped up with a proof of concept demonstration of video content distribution in the 21CN network. Using Assured Rate QoS, BT showed how content could be distributed from the core, from one of their 20 aggregation points or from the MSANs themselves (which will be present in all exchanges in the UK). Distribution at this level is made possible by using multicast, which is not available on the current BT IPStream product range.

thanks to sam knows for this

[Rik]

I think that all the interstitial plate does, Den, is to disconnect the ring wire, from what I've heard elsewhere...

[g7pkf]

I heard that BUT i have also heard otherwise?

need to get hold of one and investigate it 

[Rik]

Agreed, and I can think of no-one who should be able to tell us the truth about it better than you.

[Gary]

I heard that BUT i have also heard otherwise?

need to get hold of one and investigate it 

Are American radio frequencies different to UK ones spectrum wise though or does this block the whole lot? Would shortwave or AM be better? What kind of RF interference effects adsl lines so many questions and do you plug it into your soap on a rope or adsl faceplate or does it just replace the whole lot

[Rik]

Afaik, Gary, the plate goes between the faceplate and the test socket. If you're talking about the KY filter, I suspect it goes before the soap on a rope filter. ADSL is, afaik, an international standard, so it's MW frequencies which affect it.

[Gary]

Afaik, Gary, the plate goes between the faceplate and the test socket. If you're talking about the KY filter, I suspect it goes before the soap on a rope filter. ADSL is, afaik, an international standard, so it's MW frequencies which affect it.

So which one would be best, the shortwave one or the AM one, seems the AM one should be the one to use then, unless my brain is not processing well today

[Rik]

AM (I thought it recommended that somewhere)?

[Inactive]

AM .. unless things have changed.

[Gary]

AM (I thought it recommended that somewhere)?

its just that the poster got the RF1 filter which is shortwave , which confused me Rik

[Rik]

I'm a total potter's wheel this morning, In.