Iowa Heartland Chapter SCTE
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UPCOMING TRAINING SESSIONS AND EVENTS

The Iowa Heartland Chapter strives to provide members with affordable opportunities for networking and professional development.  
If you have an idea for a training that the Iowa Heartland Chapter should provide, please send your ideas to [email protected].

Splice Case and Cable Prep

June 12, 2025
Huxley Communications
400 S Main Ave
Huxley, IA 50124
AM session: 10:00am
PM session: 1:00pm
Member fee: $20.00
​Non-members: $30.00
Register!
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Instructor: Tim Locker, CBM
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Training Overview

This hands-on technical training, hosted by the Iowa Heartland Chapter of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), will provide telecommunications professionals with essential skills in fiber optic splice case installation and fiber cable preparation techniques.

What You'll Learn
  • Fundamentals of fiber optic technology and splice case applications
  • Proper tools and safety protocols for fiber handling
  • Step-by-step methods for preparing various fiber cable types
  • Techniques for organizing fiber within splice cases
  • Best practices for weather-sealing and protecting fiber splices
  • Troubleshooting common fiber splicing issues
Who Should Attend
  • Field technicians working with fiber networks
  • Network maintenance personnel
  • Construction crews involved in fiber deployment
  • Technical supervisors and managers
  • Engineering personnel interested in fiber splicing operations
Benefits of Attendance
  • Enhance technical skills with fiber optic infrastructure
  • Reduce installation time and improve quality of fiber splices
  • Minimize service issues related to poor splice quality
  • Network with fellow cable telecommunications professionals
  • Earn continuing education credits toward SCTE certification maintenance
Register!

Past Events and Trainings

Test & Inspection Equipment and Field Installable Connectors

April 9, 2025
​Coralville Public Library
1401 5th Street
Coralville, IA 52241
​Meeting Room A
Trainers
  • Jeff Fischer – AFL Regional Sales Manager
  • Rob Gilberti – AFL Business Development Manager

2025 Vendor Day and Cable-Tec Games

Thursday, March 27, 2025
Stoney Creek Hotel, Johnston, Iowa

Schedule

8:30am-11:30am
11:30am-12:30pm
​12:30pm-4:00pm (estimated)
Vendor Show
Lunch for Cable-Tec Games and Vendors
​Cable-Tec Games
There is no cost to attend Vendor Day or to participate in the Cable-Tec Games! We encourage you to join us in the morning to chat with our amazing vendor and join us in the afternoon for Cable-Tec Games! 
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Keep wathcing this space for information about our next Iowa Cable-Tec Games!

Why Digital Equity Matters to ISP's

February 26 and 27, 2025
9:00am and 1:00pm each day
Virtual Event
Presenter
Jon Willow, Digital Equity Practice Leader, Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN)

Session Summary
Digital Equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy.  Digital Equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services. CBAN and other organizations have been working to promote digital equity for many years, but a key question remains: Why should broadband providers care about this work?

In this informative virtual session, CBAN's Jon Willow will outline what digital equity means and why its important to the millions of Americans who are on the other side of the digital divide. She'll also explain how ISP's benefit from better broadband adoption and digital skills and what role they can play in helping achieve digital equity for all.

Iowa Heartland Member Appreciation Day

Tuesday, October 22, 2024
1:00pm to 7:00pm
Pinseekers
1515 Andersen Pl.
Tiffin, IA 52340
NEW EVENT!
We hope you can join us for our first ever Member Appreciation Day! We'll be teeing it up at Pinseekers in Tiffin (near Coralville) for two hours of golf fun. Then we'll head into the Cedar Ridge Whiskey Lounge for more fun with 3 multi-sports simulators and dinner. 

FTTH Turn-Up and Troubleshooting

November 21 and November 25, 2024
2 hours
​FREE!


​​​​This pre-recorded webinar presented by the Razorback Chapterwill provide attendees with a walk through of the process of activating a new FTTH customer and common troubleshooting steps that are needed to ensure a quality experience for the customer.

Instructor: Viavi Solutions

XGS-PON

Trainer - Ben Stineman, FuseTechnic
Length - 1 hour

​During this session we'll take a deep dive into XGS-PON, which many FTTP operators are deploying on their networks. Instructor Ben Stineman with FuseTechnic has helped several operators with their XGS-PON deployments and will discuss the standard, its capabiities, and best practices for deployment and operation. This is a MUST ATTEND event for any fiber broadband technician!

Iowa Heartland Safety Day

Tuesday, May 7, 2024
8:30am to 3:00pm
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Office and Training Center
1735 NE 70th Avenue
Ankeny, IA 50021
Safety Day Schedule
8:00am   
8:30am-10:30am
10:30am-10:45am  
10:45am-11:45am
11:45am - 12:30pm
12:30pm-1:30pm
1:30pm-1:45pm
1:45pm-2:45pm
Registration
Work Zone Safety and Traffic Control
Break
Ladder Safety
Lunch (included in registration)
Defensive Driving
Break
Ergonomics (Back Power, Strains, and Sprains)
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2024 Vendor Day and Cable-Tec Games

Thursday, March 28, 2024
8:30am to 4:00pm
Stoney Creek Hotel
Johnston, Iowa

2024 Cable Games Photos

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Our 2024 Cable-Tec Games participants!
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2024 individual event winners
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2024 Overall winner Shawn Stogdill (Mediacom) with Iowa Heartland Chapter President Carl Norton (Mediacom)

2024 Vendor Day Photos


Cable 101: Tap to Premise and Cable Math 1

Wednesday, March 6, 2024
9:00am - 11:00am and 1:00pm - 3:00pm
ImOn Communications
713 Nebraska Street
Sioux City, IA 51101

Parking lots available nearby or metered parking on street
Thursday, March 7, 2024
9:00am - 11:00am and 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Mediacom
6300 Council Street NE
​Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Park in the back or on the street
Trainer: Charles Dillard, Amphenol Broadband Solutions
Cable 101: Tap to the premises  focuses on coaxial cable components and it’s characteristics. Topics include: Cable Preparation, Electrical Safety, Bonding & Grounding and Passive Components.
 
Cable Math 1: This training provides an overview of mathmetics used in the cable industry. Topics include; Metric System, Powers of 10, Logarithms and dB versus dBmV.

This training will also help prepare technicians to participate in the Cable-Tech Games on March 28th!

WiFi Fundamentals and Customer Expectations

Wednesday, December 6, 2023
9:00am - 11:00am and 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Coralville Public Library, Meeting Room B
​1401 5th Street
​Coralville, IA 
Thursday, December 7, 2023
9:00am - 11:00am and 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Western Iowa Networks
1780 Kittyhawk Ave
Carroll, Iowa
Trainers: John Brewington and Jim Meler, Calix

The course will cover Wi-Fi Fundamentals and Customer Expectations. We will quickly review the foundation aspects of Wi-Fi, such as dB, dBm, Wi-Fi standards, QAM, OFDM, and the newer OFDMA. Then, we will cover radio wave propagation and some real-world Wi-Fi issues.

Fiber Prep and Cleaning

Wednesday, November 15, 2023
9:00am - 11:00am and 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Western Iowa Networks
Carroll, Iowa
Thursday, November 16, 2023
9:00am - 11:00am and 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Coralville Public Library, Meeting Room B
​Coralville, IA
Trainer: Adam Kealhofer

​In this workshop, we will talk about basic splicing techniques, creating standards, and splicer maintenance, as well expose attendees to various uses for different types of closures.    Hands on practice of splicing fiber as well as coupling ducts will also be included.

The Path to 10G over DOCSIS

Wednesday, September 27, 2023
10:00am and 2:00pm

Online

Instructor: Doug Jones, CableLabs

As we march towards the frontier of 10G, new cable modems already being certified are capable of 5 Gbps capacity, with integrated standard 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports that make it easier to distribute that capacity throughout the home. With full duplex and extended spectrum capabilities integrated into next-generation DOCSIS 4.0 technology, the industry will be able to deliver on that 10 Gbps promise over hybrid fiber coax networks.

In this session, Doug Jones with CableLabs will talk about the path to 10G and steps that operators should take to prepare for it.
Missed the training? CLICK HERE to view a replay!

Meter Reading (OTDR, MTDR)

May 10, 2023
Western Iowa Networks
1780 Kittyhawk Ave.
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Carroll
May 11, 2023
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
1735 NE 70th Ave.
​​Ankeny
Instructor: David Lopez, Tempo Communications
Pre-registration is closed for this event, however you may register on-site.

 2023 Vendor Day and Cable-Tec Games

March 23, 2023
​Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center
​Johnston, IA

CBRS Training

February 21, 2023
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
1735 NE 70th Avenue, Ankeny

Choose for Morning or Afternoon sessions
​8:00am-11:00am  or  1:00pm-4:00pm

Presenters: Yousuf Saifullah, Ericsson; Aaron Miller, Mediacom

Join us to learn more about CBRS wireless, including technical information about this broadband technology and a discussion of actual installation experience.

Basic PON Design

Wednesday, December 28, 2022
8:30am-10:30am or 1:00pm-3:00pm
Free To Participate
Presenter: Justin Quinn, NewCom Technologies
This session will provide an introduction to the factors that need to be considered when designing a passive optical network (PON).
  • Components of a PON/FTTH deployment
  • OLT platforms, ONT options (including integrated home gateways)
  • Deployment parameters and options such as homerun vs remote split, operating wavelengths including interoperability/fiber sharing strategies, link budgets and splitting ratios.
  • Discussion of advantages and disadvantages of PON versus Active Ethernet
  • Discussion of competing standards for PON (GPON, XGS-PON, 25G PON, etc.) and an evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of each
  • Current and future supply chain challenges

Focusing on the Customer Service Experience

Wednesday, December 21, 2022
8:30am and 1pm (1 hour sessions)
Free To Participate
Presenter: Aaryn Slafky, Pivot
Join us for a discussion of steps that broadband customer contact personnel, including customer service staff and technicians, can take to improve the customer service experience .

The Evolution of IPTV

Tuesday, December 13, 2022
9am and 1pm (1.5 hour sessions)
Free To Participate
Joint training with West Virginia Chapter
Featured Speakers: Emily Call, Midwest Video Solutions and Jean Edhlund, Cooperative Network Services

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) has been used by video providers, especially those with fiber networks, for a number of years. But IPTV has been evolving beyond it's original ecosystem with proprietary set-top boxes.

In this session we will discuss the differences between traditional IPTV and app-based delivery and take a look at how IPTV will continue to evolve. And we will take a look at how cable companies are making the transition to app-based delivery methods using consumer devices like Roku and Amazon Fire Sticks.

Leadership Skills: Are You Optimizing or Prioritizing?

Hosted by the North Florida Chapter
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
8:00am-9:00am or 2:00pm-3:00pm
Free to Participate
Trainer: Lisa Hartman, ULearn

Join us for a discussion on how to grow your leadership and influence. Training topics include: Are you in job mode or career mode? Making the most of the skills you have. Recognizing your natural attributes. Maximizing opportunities. Training vs. Mentoring. Leading vs. Influencing.

Customer Premise WiFi

October 26, 2022
Virtual Sessions (Zoom)
9:00am and 1:00pm
Free To Participate
New & Trusted WiFi Best Practices for Various Deployment Environments
Trainer: Gabriel Reyes, Comtrend

​Do you deploy broadband in Rural Low-Density Areas, High-Density MDUs, and/or Large Homes?  You, the Service Provider, encounter a variety of settings that require differing deployment needs. In this training you will learn how best to deploy CPE in mixed environments to maximize deployments while reducing costs and support calls.

Video of AM Session


Training Workshop &
​Cable-Tec Games

October 11-12, 2022
​Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center
​Johnston, IA


FTTP Activation and DWDM

Wednesday, May 25, 2022
9am or 1pm Central
Virtual Sessions
​Free To Participate!
Presented by Stephen Colangelo, Viavi.

Ensuring FTTx Service Activation Success
With FTTx deployments now hitting their stride, operators are looking for ways to optimize their installations and service activations.   This session will discuss the latest tools for certifying drop cable installations and verification of delivered services.  We’ll also look at in-home performance to ensure the best customer experience and eliminate call backs.    
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Efficient Deployment and Maintenance of DWDM
This session will look at what makes WDM systems unique and the challenges in deploying them.  Whether its being able to verify routing through the wavelength specific components or ensuring the correct channel is being delivered, having the right tools and processes will unsure success.  Learn about DWDM OTDRs, Channel Checkers and Optical Spectrum Analyzers

Workplace Safety Training

Thursday, February 24, 2022
Virtual Sessions (Zoom)
8:30am-10:30am     Work Zone Safety & Traffic Control
Addresses how to protect employees from traffic while working on or near the streets and roads.
​11:00am-12:00pm.   Ladder Safety
A review and discussion of the proper use, maintenance and inspection of portable and fixed ladders. 
1:00pm-2:00pm.       Defensive Driving
​Emphasis on what to look for while you are driving and review important defensive driving procedures. 
2:30pm-3:30pm.       Dog Bite Awareness

​Teaches employees how to prevent one of the most common work hazards as well as lost time due to injuries incurred. Participants will learn what to do when entering yards, what to do if approached by a dog who may attack and what to do if attacked or bitten. Information will also be provided on what makes dogs aggressive and how to use protective devices. 

Evolution of the Pathway

Monday, December 6, 2021
9:00am or 1:00pm
Live Session: Western Iowa Networks, 1780 Kittyhawk Ave. Carroll IA
Virtual Session: On Zoom
We will discuss the changing demands on broadband, the effects it has on infrastructure, and evolving pathway solutions to better serve future demands.

WiFi 6 Virtual Training

Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Trainer: Gabriel Reyes, Comtrend

comtrend_wifi_6_training_collateral.pdf
File Size: 1941 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

WiFi Basics

Wednesday, December 16, 2020
8:00am CDT and 1:00pm CDT

Presented by Tony Holmes, VeEX

OTDR Training

Wednesday, September 30, 2020
8:00am CDT and 1:00pm CDT

Presented by Jeff Harmon, Viavi Solutions

Cable-Tec Games

The 2020 Cable-Tec Games were CANCELLED as a precautionary measure to protect attendees from the spread of the COVID-19 virus (aka Coronavirus). 


Fiber Prep, Cleaning, and Testing

Instructor: Tim Locker, CBM

TWO Sessions Per Day at TWO Locations!

Wednesday, April 8, 2020
​Carrollton Inn
1730 US-71
Carroll, IA 51401
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Kirkwood Community College
1770 Boyson Road
Hiawatha, IA 52233
Schedule (for each location)

Morning Session:  8:30am-11:30am
Afternoon Session: 1:00pm-4:00pm

DOCSIS 3.1

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 and Thursday, October 17, 2019
​Des Moines and Hiawatha

Vendor Show and SCTE Race Day

November 13, 2019
​Holiday Inn, Urbandale and Pole Position Raceway, Grimes

Fiber Optics 1-2-3

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 & Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Carroll, Iowa & Ankeny, IA

2019 Cable-Tec Games

Wednesday, February 27, 2019
IAMU, Ankeny

CLICK HERE for winners scoresheet

Fiber Optics 1-2-3

Wednesday, November 7, 2018 and Thursday, November 8, 2018
Instructors: Steve Scudder, OFS/Fitel and Tim Locker, CBM

Vendor Day and Golf Outing

Wednesday, October 3, 2018
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All Things DOCSIS

Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Instructors: ​Benjamin Brodfuehrer and Russ Widener, Cisco

Home Networking Challenges

Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Live training: Ankeny
Remote sites: Cedar Falls and Muscatine

Thursday, May 3, 2018
Live training: Hiawatha
Instructor: Ron Tracey, Mediacom and Tony Holmes, VeEx

Cable-Tec Games

Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Kirkwood Training & Outreach Services
1770 Boysen Road
​Hiawatha, IA 52233
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2018 Iowa Cable-Tec Games Participants

 All Things Fiber Optics

Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Live training: Ankeny
Remote sites: Cedar Falls and Muscatine

Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Live training: Hiawatha
Instructor: Ron Grigsby, RDG Telecom

Vendor Day and Golf Outing

Wednesday, October 4, 2017
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Cable-Tec Games

Thursday, June 8, 2017
A big THANK YOU to all of the participants, and congratulations to Nathan Sidlinger, our overall winner! 
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All Things IP Video

Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Live training: Hiawatha
Remote sites: Spencer and Harlan
Instructor: Charles Dostale, CFU Network Engineer



Preventative Network Maintenance

November 16 & 17, 2016
Ankeny and Marion
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
1735 NE 70th Avenue
​Ankeny, IA 50021

Network Power Training

Instructor: George Bozak, Alpha
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
300 East 9th St.
Coralville, IA. 52241

Home Networking Challenges and PON Essentials

Instructor: Bret McElwee, Senior Sales Engineer, Calix
October 12 & 13, 2016
Marion and Ankeny

2016 Vendor Day and Golf Outing

Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Thank you for everyone who participated in our annual Vendor Day and Golf Outing!
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Team Scores

1st Place (54)
Josh Robinson
Logan Neilson
Tim Locker
John Metz

2nd Place (54)
Jason Henley
Kirk Hauskins
Jamie Tiernan
Mike Nestby

3rd Place (57)
Keith Snoop
David Riley
Frank Gaffney
Russ Lahr

Flag Events

Longest Putt
#1-Frank Gaffney
#4-John Metz
#9-Virgil Eilers
#11-Robert Graham
#14-Chris Cooper
#18-Stephen Rangel

Longest Drive-#7
Jim DeJonghe

Closest to the Pin-#2
Jason Henley​


 Maintaining An All Digital Plant

Trainer- Tony Holmes, VeEx
November 11 & 12, 2015
Ankeny and Marion
Trainer:  Tony Holmes, VeEx
Click To Download Presentation

HFC Essentials

September 2 & 3, 2015
Ankeny and Marion
Trainer:  Tony Holmes, VeEx
Click To Download Presentation

2015 Cable-Tec Games

April 22, 2015
Kirkwood Community College, Marion

Powering The HFC Network

Ankeny and Marion
​Trainer:  George Bosak, Alpha
Click To Download Presentation
powering_the_hfc_network.pptx
File Size: 18515 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File


2014 Vendor Fair and Golf Outing

Vendor Fair
Thank You to all the vendors who participated in our 2014 Vendor Day.  We appreciate your support for our chapter and its members!
  • ACI
  • Altec
  • Arcom
  • ARRIS
  • Calix
  • Clearfield
  • Communications Supply Group
  • CommSonics
  • CommTech Services
  • DF Countryman
  • Entone
  • ETI
  • KGP Logistics
  • Multilink
  • Optelian
  • Pace
  • Performed Line Products
  • Power & Tel
  • Solutions 5
  • Steren
  • Team Sales
  • Terry-Durin
  • TFC/Amphenol
  • TVC Communications
  • Universal Remote
  • Vision Corp.
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Golf Outing
Fun in the sun!  Thanks to everyone who braved the hills at Airport National Golf Course!


2014 Cable-Tec Games

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Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Kirkwood Community Outreach Center
3375 Armar Dr.
Marion, IA  52302


June 2013 Training

Bucket Truck and Workplace Safety Training

June 5, 2013 - Marion
June 6, 2013 - Ankeny

A big THANK YOU to Jim Garrison of Muscatine Power & Water for his presentations.  Click below to download (PDF's).
2013_ergonomics.pdf
File Size: 1336 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

line_clearances.pdf
File Size: 182 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

hazard_recognition_training_powerpoint_final.pdf
File Size: 1133 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

stc001_work_zone_mutcd_2013.pdf
File Size: 3870 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


April 2013 Training

Best Practices for HFC Networks
April 17, 2013 - Ankeny
April 18, 2013 - Marion

December Training Sessions

Thank You to everyone who attended our December training sessions, and to our great presenters!  Click the links below to download the presentations.
Powering Issues:  Lowell Anderson, Alpha
dec_2012_powering_issues-alpha.pdf
File Size: 2580 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Ethernet Basics:  Ron Grigsby, RDG Telecom
dec_2012_ethernet_fundamentals.pdf
File Size: 1317 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


2012 Vendor Day

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Thanks to all the vendors who made the Iowa Heartland Chapter's Vendor Day a HUGE success!  Below are some photos of the vendor fair and the golf outing.  We'll see you again next year!

June 2012 Training Sessions

Thank you to everyone who attended our June 2012 training sessions in Marion and Ankeny!  Click the links below to download the presentations from that day.

Brad Riggan-Aurora Networks
RFoG and EPON Presentation 

Jerry Patton-Arris
WiFi 101 Presentation
(clink links below to download PDF)

what_is_802.11.pdf
File Size: 113 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

wifi_101.pdf
File Size: 7212 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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