December, 2005

Previous Issues:11/05, 10/05, 09/05, 08/05, 07/05, 6/05, 5/05, 4/05, 2/05, 01/05, 12/04, 10/04, 9/04, 8/04, 7/04, 6/04, 5/04, 4/04, 3/04, 1/04, 12/03, 11/03 10/03 9/03, 8/03, 7/03, 6/03, 3/03, 10/02 , 8/02, 5/02

 

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.

Job Openings For Fiber Techs in New Orleans Reconstruction
As a result of the development of the FOA Installer Database (http://www.thefoa.org/index_installers.html), we received an inquiry from a contractor looking for 40 fiber optic and telephone installers to reconstruct the communications systems in New Orleans and other areas devastated this year by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Fiber optic techs interested in this work should have relevant experience and their own tools. Companies with a full complement of OSP installation gear are welcome (and encouraged!) to apply. Housing is a problem and may require living in trailers or campers.
Please do not contact The FOA - contact the company directly!

Jerry Belle
T1 Communications
http://t1communications.com
1-770-460-1998

And remember -please do not contact The FOA - contact the company directly!

Removing Fiber Shards From Your Skin
Another use for duct tape! A reader suggests applying the sticky side of duct tape to the area where you stick the fiber into your skin and the adhesive will pick the fiber shards out. Sounds worth a try to us, but we'd like more feedback. Be careful, but if you do have an accident, try this and let us know.
 
 

Which Had You Rather Terminate?
  or  
Now, isn't that a compelling reason to choose fiber optics!

FOA Instructor Development In Jamaica
In keeping with the mission of the FOA as an international non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting professionalism in the field of fiber optics, FOA board member Tom Collins traveled to Jamaica in October. Jamaica is interested in how fiber optics can improve their telecommunication systems.
While there, Tom conducted a Train­The­Trainer session with two instructors from Vector Technology Institute. (Donovan James, left, and Rohan Morris,right)
Both instructors demonstrated a high level of skill and knowledge about fiber optics and instructional methods. The FOA looks forward to strengthening their relationship with Vector Technology Institute of Jamaica and helping them train and certify more local fiber optic technicians.
In addition to conducting the TTT session, Tom presented at the Jamaican Computer Society (JCS) conference on incorporating fiber optics into existing IT systems. After the presentation he opened the floor to the conference participants who asked many interesting questions about how fiber optics can enhance their present IT systems.

 
New Fiber Cleaner
At a recent show, we saw the new Chemtronics "QbE" fiber optic cleaning system. It's a continuous wet or dry wipe in a square box that has a soft surface on one side to wipe the connector against. Several types of wet cleaners are available or you can use QbE dry. Besides using it for cleaning connector ferrules, the wipes can be used to wipe fibers before cleaving or for buffer tube gel removal. See more at the Chemtronics website.
 
 

 

High Density Interconnects Use Standard Ferrule Design
LumaCon has taken a simple idea and created what seems to be an ideal high density fiber optic interconnect. Combining machined metal connectors with 1.25 mm (LC, MU compatible) ferrules makes for a rugged high density connector for backplanes and multifiber connections without the use of more restrictive ribbon technology. More information is at the LumaCon website.
 
 
 

Cable Plant Documentation At Reasonable Cost
Peter Buitenhek lives in San Diego and has been in cabling for 20+ years. He has developed five software packages for horizontal cabling design, bid and tracking that are inexpensive, quick and accurate. His packages are based on Microspft Excel spreadsheets which makes them cost effective and easy to use. His web site is at profitdeveloper.com.
 
 


 

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!

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

 

Hicare Consult Ltd. Fibre Optic Cable Stock consists of Long Haul fibre inventory made up of according to specs below. All Cable stored in Secure Warehousing on 6000 mtrs reels. All original invoice available:
A. Approx. 1905 KMs of Lucent Manufacture, Accuribbon Type, True Wave (TW), 216 Strands fibre. This cable was received into stock between October 1999 and January 2000.
B. Approx. 942 KMs of Corning Manufacture, 2 Core Non-Metallic, NZ-DSF, 216 strands Fibre. This cable was received into stock between June and July 2000.
C: approx. 1905 KMs of Lucent Manufacture, Accuribbon Type, True Wave (TW), 216 strands fibre. This cable was received into stock between October 1999 and January 2000.
D. approx. 942 KMs of Corning Manufacture, 2 Core Non-Metallic, NZ-DSF, 216 strands fibre. This cable was received into stock between June and July 2000.

The cable was manufactured for a German city-to-city and inner city network. The cable is the same stock that forms the fibre optic rings of many major European cities. There are no export restrictions on the cable whatsoever. All Cable stored in Secure Warehousing on 6000 mtrs reels.

Altan R. Koraltan "hicare-altan" <altan@hicareconsult.com>
+44 (0) 208 372 2132 cell +44 (0) 7956 176 393

 

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
 
 

 
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.
 
 
 
 


 

 
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.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Tech Puzzler
Fiber is touted for it's resistance to electromagnetic interference - electrical noise. Why does fiber not get affected by electronic or electrical noise?
 
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/

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.

 
 
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



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: Fiber is made of glass or plastic, which cannot carry current and is not affected by electrical signals.