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We 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 show

Knowledge 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

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We 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 show

Knowledge 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

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We 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 show

Knowledge 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

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We break down seven common field mistakes that quietly ruin structured cabling performance even when the work looks clean. We also share the mindset habits that separate average installs from work that passes certification, earns trust, and holds up years later.
• untwisting pairs too far at termination and losing noise resistance
• setting the punch tool wrong and risking bad IDC terminations
• ignoring bend radius rules and creating internal crosstalk
• pulling cable with too much tension and stretching or breaking conductors
• treating heat, storage, and jacket damage as “no big deal”
• labeling late or inconsistently and making troubleshooting painful
• mixing manufacturers and undermining optimization and warranties
• skipping certification testing or trusting continuity too much
• slowing down to prevent rework and protect profit
• learning from mistakes, finding a mentor, taking pride in craft

If you're watching the 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 found value in this, please share this with another technician who's coming up behind you because at the end of the day, knowledge is power.

Support the show

Knowledge 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

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We replay a practical guide to firestop selection and explain why the right choice starts with the barrier, the penetration, and the tested UL system. We break down mechanical and non-mechanical firestop systems so you can seal penetrations correctly, support future cable adds, and avoid costly code violations.
• four selection factors: assembly type, barrier construction, penetrants, sealing method to restore rating
• mechanical firestop systems for vibration and shock tolerance
• cable transit systems and how inserts compress around cables
• fire-rated pathways for easy moves adds and changes
• factory fabricated sleeves, bushings, mineral wool, and AHJ approval
• non-mechanical options: putty, firestop caulk, cementitious materials, pillows, bricks, blankets
• firestop properties: intumescent expansion, endothermic heat absorption, ablative char formation
• why grout and plaster crack and fail as firestopping
• membrane penetrations versus through penetrations with real examples
• annular space limits and why too much or too little material fails
• seven jobsite tips: follow UL drawings, never mix materials, label and document, watch curing hazards and fumes
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 on that QR code right there? You can become a Patreon member, you can buy Let's Talk Hilling t-shirts and support this podcast

Support the show

Knowledge 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

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We record from BICSI CALA, Costa Rica to clear up a stubborn myth about the National Electrical Code and explain how it becomes enforceable outside the United States. Fernando Escelente frm the NFPA clears up some confusion. We also dig into how NFPA supports adoption across Latin America through translation, access, training, and certification as new technology and new NEC editions arrive.

• NEC as a reference code vs a legally adopted code
• How Latin American countries adopt different NEC editions
• Why outdated NEC versions create safety gaps
• The challenge of translating legal technical language into Spanish
• Using AI translation with subject matter expert review
• NFPA resources for access including NFPA Link
• Training and certification as the difference between rules and real compliance
• Local amendments and how jurisdictions tailor enforcement
• Timeline expectations for NEC 2026 translation and adoption
• Committee participation and why balanced panels protect safety
• Why adoption must be paired with training and inspection

Support the show

Knowledge 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

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We sit down with the Goldilock team to challenge the default “add more software” mindset and focus on a blunt truth: if a network is not connected, it cannot be hacked from the outside. We dig into how Layer 1 physical disconnection works with existing security tools, what it means for installers and PMs, and why protecting backups and controlling third-party access can change your blast radius overnight.
• Physical network disconnection as Layer 1 defense
• Why software-only security becomes an arms race
• Picking disconnect points based on a risk register
• Bulkhead and light switch analogies for technicians
• Using APIs to trigger disconnects from existing security tools
• Timeouts, default states, and safe reconnection practices
• Ransomware reality and why attackers go after backups first
• Retrofit and rack installation considerations for a 1U device
• Manual firmware updates, maintenance windows, and validation audits
• Third-party access windows with auditing and certainty
• Coordinating installers, PMs, IT, and OT through labs and simulations
• Future direction as AI speeds up attacks
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?

Support the show

Knowledge 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

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We explore how women build careers across ICT—from field installation and union apprenticeship to BIM-driven design and executive leadership—and why mentorship and culture make or break growth. The conversation closes with practical steps for newcomers and companies to open doors.

• why Women in Construction Week matters to ICT
• three career paths across field, design, and leadership
• first-day lessons and confidence under pressure
• BIM and Revit as force multipliers for delivery
• breaking stereotypes with results and skill
• how leadership sets culture and retention
• building intentional mentorship and clear ladders
• data center demand and the talent shortfall
• actionable advice for 19-year-old newcomers

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 created
If you're listening to us on one of the audio podcast platforms, would you mind leaving us a five-star reading
Wednesday night, 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, you know I do a live stream on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, anywhere I can figure out how to send that live stream to, where you can ask your favorite RCDD
Would you mind clicking on the cable code right there? You can schedule 15-minute one-on-one call with me after hours, of course. You can even buy Let's Talk Cabling merchandise

Support the show

Knowledge 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