- A
A tone generator and probe
Why wrong: A tone generator is used to trace or identify specific cables, not to measure signal quality.
- B
A multimeter
Why wrong: A multimeter measures voltage, resistance, and continuity, not RF signal strength.
- C
A cable tester (signal level meter)
A cable tester designed for RF signals can measure signal strength and quality on coaxial lines.
- D
An optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR)
Why wrong: An OTDR is used to test fiber optic cables, not coaxial cables.
Question 751 of 1,020
Using a Cable Tester to Measure Coaxial Signal Strength
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of internet connection types. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is called to a home where the customer reports that their cable internet works fine, but the TV service has pixelated channels. The technician suspects a signal issue. What is the most appropriate tool to measure the signal strength and quality on the coaxial line?
Quick Answer
The answer is a cable tester, specifically a signal level meter. This tool is the correct choice because it measures both the signal strength and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on a coaxial line, which directly addresses the technician’s suspicion of a degraded signal causing pixelated TV channels while internet remains functional. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between tools for specific cable types and symptoms: a tone generator is only for wire tracing, a multimeter checks continuity or voltage, and an OTDR is strictly for fiber optics. A common trap is confusing a multimeter’s voltage reading with signal quality, but remember that coaxial signal issues require a tool that reads RF power and noise, not electrical resistance. Memory tip: “Signal strength needs a signal meter—not a tone, not a volt, not a fiber scope.”
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A cable tester (signal level meter)
A cable tester (signal level meter) is the correct tool because it measures both signal strength (in dBmV) and signal quality (SNR or MER) on a coaxial line, which directly diagnoses pixelation caused by poor signal levels or noise. The technician needs to verify that the RF signal from the cable provider meets the required thresholds (typically -10 to +10 dBmV for downstream) to ensure clear TV reception.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A tone generator and probe
Why it's wrong here
A tone generator is used to trace or identify specific cables, not to measure signal quality.
- ✗
A multimeter
Why it's wrong here
A multimeter measures voltage, resistance, and continuity, not RF signal strength.
- ✓
A cable tester (signal level meter)
Why this is correct
A cable tester designed for RF signals can measure signal strength and quality on coaxial lines.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
An optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR)
Why it's wrong here
An OTDR is used to test fiber optic cables, not coaxial cables.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between tools used for RF coaxial signals versus fiber optics, leading candidates to confuse an OTDR (fiber) with a cable tester (coaxial) when the scenario clearly involves a cable TV service.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A signal level meter (SLM) measures downstream power (dBmV), carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), and modulation error ratio (MER) to assess signal integrity. For cable TV, pixelation typically occurs when the MER drops below ~23 dB for 64-QAM or ~28 dB for 256-QAM, or when the signal level is outside the optimal range, causing the tuner to lose sync. In practice, a technician might also use the SLM to check for ingress or egress issues by scanning the spectrum for noise spikes.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Internet Connection Types — This question tests Internet Connection Types — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A cable tester (signal level meter) — A cable tester (signal level meter) is the correct tool because it measures both signal strength (in dBmV) and signal quality (SNR or MER) on a coaxial line, which directly diagnoses pixelation caused by poor signal levels or noise. The technician needs to verify that the RF signal from the cable provider meets the required thresholds (typically -10 to +10 dBmV for downstream) to ensure clear TV reception.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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