crucialcolin I’ve seen Spectrum do more of the “replace the mod” for high split upgrades than Comcast. For example, a lot of legacy TWC areas used SA/Cisco gainmaker. A lof of the upgrades are just opening the amp and pulling the mod out, putting in a new ATX Communications 1.8 GHz mod, replace the power supply in the lid and install a telemetry unit to the left of the power supply in the lid and cable it up to the test points on the mod.
Its a lot faster. But even though there were many Comcast markets that used SA/Cisco gainmaker, they chose to cut it all out instead of replace mods with mid or high split 1/1.2+ gear. I think maybe they knew Commscope (Now Vistance networks ) was the only one working on FDX amps. So maybe they chose to standarize on the Starline housings we see today, typically stamped with the ARRIS logo. Knowing the FDX amp would be the same profile with a new lid.
I guess cutting it out also gives them the chance to inspect 30+ year cable and make sure its clean and everythings installed in new housings with new seizure screws, etc… But with so many contractors doing the work, you don’t always get 100% quality.
Vecima 1.8 GHz nodes with Harmonic Pebble 2 RPD is also another popular combination outside of Comcast.
