The Unsung Hero of Install Day: Ubiquiti Wave Pro’s Cable Test Feature

 

When deploying a Ubiquiti Wave Pro wireless link, one of the most underrated yet invaluable tools is the built-in cable test feature. Before you even start the alignment process, running a cable test instantly tells you whether your physical layer is solid. It verifies continuity, checks for shorts, measures cable length, and identifies pair-swap or split-pair issues—problems that can easily go unnoticed until they start causing intermittent drops or throughput issues in production.

During field installations, especially when working on towers, rooftops, or remote sites, this feature saves both time and headaches. Instead of hauling an external cable tester, climbing up and down ladders, or guessing whether the issue is the cable or the device, you get immediate diagnostics right from the Wave Pro interface. This is especially handy when working with long outdoor-rated runs, where damage can occur from bends, staples, or environmental wear.

The cable test feature also acts as a quality check for contractor-run cabling. Before you sign off on their work or attempt to troubleshoot connectivity, you can quickly validate that the copper infrastructure meets spec. It eliminates finger-pointing and ensures you’re not trying to push gigabit speeds over a mis-terminated connector or poorly run segment.

Most importantly, it gives you confidence during deployment. Knowing your cable is good means one less variable to worry about when aligning radios, optimizing throughput, or diagnosing link issues. In the fast-paced world of wireless networking, the Ubiquiti Wave Pro’s cable test feature is a simple but powerful tool that helps ensure smooth, efficient, and reliable installations every time.

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Crimp, Click, and Connect: Building a Custom Outdoor Ethernet Cable from Scratch

There’s a certain satisfaction in crafting your own Ethernet cable—especially when it’s built to last in the great outdoors. I recently purchased a complete RJ45 kit from Amazon that came with everything I needed: connectors, protective boots, a crimper, and a compact cable tester. Instead of relying on pre-made patch cords, I decided to put the kit to the test using a roll of outdoor-rated Ethernet cable, built tough for weather and UV exposure.

The process started with stripping the cable’s jacket to expose the twisted pairs inside. The outdoor cable had an extra layer of protection, so patience was key to avoid nicking the inner wires. Once I had the pairs separated, I followed the T568B wiring standard, arranging the wires in the correct color order before sliding them into the RJ45 connectors. A firm squeeze with the crimper locked everything into place, ensuring solid contact between each wire and its pin.

Next came the boots—those little rubber sleeves that make the cable look professional and protect the connectors from wear. Once the boots were on, I plugged both ends into the cable tester that came with the kit. The LEDs lit up in perfect sequence, confirming that every pin was connected correctly and that my cable was ready for use. It was a small victory, but a satisfying one.

By making my own Ethernet cable, I not only saved money but also gained a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind reliable networking connections. With the Amazon kit, even a simple task like crimping connectors turned into a fun, hands-on learning experience. Now I have a durable, custom-length outdoor cable I can trust—made by my own hands.

https://youtu.be/B_ufDL3hY6E

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from the net: Networking with Python

 

Another cool sheet from Dan Nanni at www.study-notes.org

Filter Like a Pro: How Wireshark Display Filters Save You Hours of Headaches

 If you’ve ever opened Wireshark and stared at the endless flood of packets flying across your screen, you know it can feel like trying to find one drop of water in a waterfall. That’s where display filters come in. Learning how to use Wireshark display filters — especially for things like narrowing traffic down to a specific IP subnet — is like flipping on a spotlight in a dark room. Instead of drowning in packets, you can instantly zero in on exactly what matters.

In my latest video, I walk through how to create and use a display filter for an IP subnet. This simple trick saves tons of time when troubleshooting network issues. Instead of scrolling endlessly or exporting data to another tool, you can just type something like ip.addr == 8.8.8.0/24 and immediately see all the relevant packets for that network. It’s fast, it’s clean, and it keeps you focused on solving the problem instead of searching for it.

The more you get comfortable with display filters, the more powerful Wireshark becomes. You can combine filters, exclude noisy traffic, or even isolate specific conversations between devices. Once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them — it’s like going from a shovel to a laser scalpel for your packet analysis.

So, if you’re looking to save time and actually enjoy using Wireshark, start learning display filters today. They turn what could be hours of frustration into minutes of precision. Check out my video to see exactly how I use an IP subnet filter in action — and you’ll never go back to staring at unfiltered chaos again.

Nailed it.. ;) - an Exercise in supporting our colleagues

 An excited reader sent this photo.

Since he is new to the field, i had to politely and constructive explain all the ways to 'make this install better'.

after an email or two, i could se that he was pretty laid back and i casually said "other than that one grey cable, you nailed it" and we have a good chuckle..

I also mentioned that no matter what, you can never have enough documentation and labels.

I finished off by saying "put yourself into troubleshooting mode, and ask yourself how easy it would be to trace a cable" ,  "then put yourself into installation mode and ask yourself how easy is it to install a new piece of equipment".

He thanked me for being an "awesome mentor".

I replied that I dont consider myself much of a mentor but appreciated the kind words.

And then he mentioned something that was a bit disturbing to me.  He said that he reached to about half a dozen people who post on Linkedin/Youtube and I was the only one who responded.

C'mon folks, we can do better.  I know we are all busy..  But it doesn't take much for a quick response, even if its "I don't know, but try this".  this email exchange took about 10 min of my day.

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