SC-QAM Troubleshooting Masterclass: MER, BER, and Constellations Explained (with Ron Hranac)

Join Brady Volpe and Ron Hranac as they take a technician-level look. Educate cable broadband technicians and engineers on how to effectively use a QAM analyzer to diagnose and resolve issues with SC-QAM (Single Carrier Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) channels in the HFC plant or CMTS environment. If you’re a cable tech, broadband engineer, or just a DOCSIS nerd, this is the livestream for you. Struggling with pixelation, slow speeds, or downstream signal issues? In this video, we show broadband technicians how to troubleshoot SC-QAM channels using a QAM analyzer. Learn how to read key metrics like MER, BER, and constellation diagrams to quickly identify and resolve common HFC plant impairments. Whether you're in the field or headend, this guide helps you keep DOCSIS networks running smooth. What You’ll Learn: ✔ What SC-QAM is and where problems occur ✔ How to read QAM analyzer metrics ✔ Real-world signal troubleshooting example ✔ Best practices to improve network reliability Chapters: 0:00 Intro and Welcome 1:02 Guest Introduction: Ron Hranac 4:52 What is SC-QAM? 10:00 Common Problems With SC-QAM 18:00 Key QAM Analyzer Metrics: MER & BER 28:04 Reading Constellation Diagrams 38:05 Signal Troubleshooting Example 48:05 Best Practices for Improving Network Reliability 58:00 Closing Ideal for: Cable techs, field engineers, DOCSIS support teams Hashtags & Keywords: #QAMAnalyzer #SCQAM #CableTech #DOCSISTroubleshooting #MER #ConstellationDiagram #BroadbandTips #PNM ✅ Subscribe to stay current with DOCSIS, PNM, and broadband network tech. --- Ron's Bio: Ron Hranac, a 50 year veteran of the cable industry, who has worked for cable operators and vendors during his career. He is a Fellow Member of the SCTE and co-founder and Assistant Board Member of the organization’s Rocky Mountain Chapter, Ron was inducted into the Society’s Hall of Fame in 2010, is a co-recipient of the Chairman’s Award, an SCTE Member of the Year, and is a member of the Cable TV Pioneers Class of 1997. He received the Society’s Excellence in Standards award at Cable-Tec Expo 2016. He was recipient of the European Society for Broadband Professionals’ 2016 Tom Hall Award for Outstanding Services to Broadband Engineering, and was named winner of the 2017 David Hall Award for Best Presentation. He has published hundreds of articles and papers, and has been a speaker at numerous international, national, regional, and local conferences and seminars. https://volpefirm.com/blog-2/ Links / Upcoming events: https://volpefirm.com/broadband-event/