Optimum Online cable service

[TheLeaper]

Anyone know what frequencies Optimum uses in the Old Bridge area?

 

[Hit_Factor]

Middlesex County, New Jersey (NJ) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference is a place to start looking.

Look here to see if they have a license https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchAdvanced.jsp If you find something here, then you need to look up the emission type to find out that type signal they are using, i.e.: DMR, NXDN, NFM

If you can't find anything there. They might have a DBA, or lease airtime from a local Radio Shop.

When you see one of their trucks, stop and talk to the Tech, ask about the radio, model number, antenna description - anything - everything. Eventually - this will get you to where to look. Then you can focus close call on your scanner.

 

[fineshot1]

I found this info in my old text file logs but i do not know how old this info is so it may well be out of date

Cable TV Vans

Comcast
451.9750R Manahawkin
452.0250R Toms River
461.1000R Plainfield
478.7875R West Orange

Cablevision
471.9375R
Rptrs in West Paterson,Pompton Lakes & Hawthorne in Passaic Cnty and
Oakland in Bergen Cnty


Burlington & Camden Counties
501.9875R License Expired

 

[railtrailbiker]

I haven't seen a two way radio in any cable TV van/bucket truck in years. When Nextel was alive & kicking, the techs in my area were carrying hand helds on that system. Lately I've just seen them using cell phones.

 

[Tech792]

They might be using tablets like Verizon does.

 

[RBFD415]

In relation to the Optimum service trucks, I have to say I have noticed on many occasions seeing Optimum trucks with VHF mobile antennas. In fact I've seen several that had two (2) VHF antennas mounted. While its entirely possible the antennas where just old mounts from a prior legacy system, the trucks weren't that old. I thought it was odd at the time and can't see them going through the trouble of installing equipment for radios they no longer use?

 

[railtrailbiker]

In relation to the Optimum service trucks, I have to say I have noticed on many occasions seeing Optimum trucks with VHF mobile antennas. In fact I've seen several that had two (2) VHF antennas mounted. While its entirely possible the antennas where just old mounts from a prior legacy system, the trucks weren't that old. I thought it was odd at the time and can't see them going through the trouble of installing equipment for radios they no longer use?

I suspect that some of their trucks are equipped with electronic "sniffer" devices, which are used to locate RF leaks in the system. Perhaps some or all truck mounted antennas are hooked up to these devices.

 

[900mhz]

I suspect that some of their trucks are equipped with electronic "sniffer" devices, which are used to locate RF leaks in the system. Perhaps some or all truck mounted antennas are hooked up to these devices.

there has been a shift in monitoring not only the VHF aeronautical bands for signal leakage, but UHF and 600-800 Mhz frequencies for leakage in the cellular communication bands. You may notice some vehicles with multiple quarter wave antennas monitoring such.

 

[RBFD415]

I can not dispute your concept on possible sniffer devices. I pay attention to different utility vehicles as I see them in my travels and as I mentioned I have noticed the VHF whips on various Optimum service vans. Frankly, I thought it could be a simple non repeated set up they might be using when techs were pulling wire on the street etc. I was never motivated enough to look up a possible license. Could they be using the setup on itinerant frequencies for short range comms?

 

[gtaman]

Comsonics QAM Sniffer Some trucks may have one or multiple. There is the Genesis system that has a low band and high band antenna.

 

[900mhz]

Arcom makes a QAM sniffer device that covers several bands. I have installed a few in head end facilities. Works in conjunction with mobile devices that report GPS position as well as leakage levels on several measured frequencies. That data is sent to a central server via a wireless connection (cellular air card)which generates automated reports. The mobile device can also be tied into the vehicle MDT for real time observation.

 

[RBFD415]

gtaman, that pic helps, the setup I've seen were very similar, though not exact. The setup I saw was a simple VHF quarter wave on a mag mount. One van had two of them. This could be the explanation?