CablesAndKits Blog

Starting the week with a quick hello. We hope you had a restful and enjoyable weekend, whether it was relaxing or full of activities. As a new week begins, we wish you a productive and positive start. How was your weekend?

In This Issue: Climbing Mountains and Earning Ice Cream | Deal of the Day | 5-20P to 5-20R | Cisco Manufacture Date Lookup | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Climbing Mountains and Earning Ice Cream

Happy Monday!

It was a very tiring weekend, all because of one trip. On Saturday we took our young adult church group to climb Mount Yonah. I had done the hike with some friends in the fall and thought it would be a fun trip for the group. The morning started off great, but pretty quickly the youth decided the “old guys” (there were three of us) were moving too slow and took off ahead at their own pace.

As I was huffing and puffing my way up, I realized this climb felt a lot harder than the last time. I’m blaming the humidity. We eventually made it to the top, and even with a bit of haze, the views were just as stunning as I remembered. The way down was much faster, thankfully.

On the way back we stopped by Mountain Fresh Creamery in Clermont for some fresh churned ice cream. I went with butter pecan, which definitely helped make up for the climb. I’m still pretty sore from the hike, but seeing everyone enjoy it made it worth it.

I hope you have a great day and a wonderful week!

Cris

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This AC Power Cord with NEMA 5-20P to NEMA 5-20R connectors is designed to provide a dependable extension for 20-amp power connections in professional and commercial environments. Built with heavy-duty 12 AWG copper conductors, it supports higher current loads while ensuring consistent and efficient power delivery for demanding equipment.

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Learning Center Article – Cisco Manufacture Date Lookup

If you’re investing in Cisco products, then there’s actually a mechanism in place that can help you know exactly when a device was manufactured. Below, you’ll see a complete guide to help you understand and utilize that mechanism.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​The AI splurge is costing big tech its workforce​. 
• ​​Google to build AI campus in South Korea, presidential office says.​
• Elon Musk is about to launch his ‘everything app‘.

Wrapping up the week with a little inspiration. National Bucket List Day reminds us it is never too late to set new goals, plan a dream trip, or try something new. Life is full of possibilities waiting to be explored. What is one thing on your bucket list?

In This Issue: The Little Things Are Everything | Deal of the Day | 5-15P to C13 | LSZH and OFNR | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – The Little Things Are Everything

Good Friday to all out there in Internet-Land! There’s a different kind of clarity that comes when you finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, not just relief, but perspective. The weight doesn’t disappear overnight, but it shifts, made lighter by the people who stand beside you. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately, about how much easier life feels when you’re surrounded by family and friends who show up, who care, who help carry things when they get heavy.

This past weekend felt like one of those moments you wish you could bottle. The charity pro-wrestling show for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta turned out better than I could’ve hoped. Seeing the crowd, the energy, the support, it reminded me why the effort matters. It wasn’t just an event; it was proof that people will come together for something bigger than themselves.

And then there are my kids, who somehow keep raising the bar on what pride feels like. Watching my oldest finish her high school soccer season as the team’s high scorer, as a freshman, was something special. You could see the work and the determination all paying off. And my youngest? Another no-hitter at her softball tournament. I cheered until I had nothing left, literally. By Sunday, my voice was completely gone, but I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

In between all of it, I’ve been holding onto the quiet moments too, time with my wife, the love of my life, and every second I can get with my boys. Those are the pieces that don’t make noise but mean the most.
I used to think the little things didn’t matter much, that they were just background to the bigger picture. But I see it differently now. The little things are the picture. Every laugh, every game, every tired cheer, every shared moment… they’re not trivial at all. They’re everything.

Matthew

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This hospital grade NEMA 5-15P to IEC 60320 C13 power cord is designed to meet strict medical standards for grounding reliability, durability, and safety. Built with heavy-duty 16 AWG SJT cable, it is fully molded for enhanced strength and long-lasting performance in demanding environments.

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Learning Center Article – What is the difference between LSZH and OFNR?

One of the biggest questions we get is what is the difference between OFNR fiber cables and LSZH fiber cables. While they seem like the same thing, they are really two very different and very important attributes of fiber cables, and the same fiber cable can be both. To understand these attributes better, we have to understand the construction of fiber cables and the different rating levels associated with fiber optic cabling.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Amazon to provide Meta with hundreds of thousands of AWS AI chips in new deal. 
• US FDA rejects AbbVie’s wrinkle treatment due to manufacturing concerns.
• DeepSeek releases new AI model it claims beats all open-source rivals.

Today celebrates the joy of reading. World Book Night encourages people from all walks of life to pick up a book and enjoy some quiet time with a good story. What book are you currently reading or would recommend?

In This Issue: Final Stretch | Deal of the Day | Slanted Ceiling Plate | OM3 vs OM4 | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Final Stretch

Good morning!

It’s officially the last week of classes so finals are right around the corner! Ironically, this week has been busier than what I expect finals week to be. Between presentations in each of my classes, work, reviewing, social plans, and Miracle obligations, my schedule has looked a little crazy. Truth be told, I got overwhelmed at times, but I’ve been leaning on my calendar which makes it much more manageable.

Even in chaos, I’ve been having lots of fun and have plenty to look forward to! This weekend, I’ll get to head back home to celebrate one of my friends at her bridal shower which I’m super excited about. There will still be plenty to get done before and after but taking a second away from my computer will be nice.

As of now, I only have two more in-person classes left for the semester, which feels surreal. The year has flown by, but I’m happy to keep pushing and finish it out strong so the summer can get started!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Install your ceiling-mounted TV or projector securely and with confidence using the Slanted Ceiling Plate. Designed to accommodate angled or vaulted ceilings, this heavy-duty mounting plate works with any standard 1.5″ NPT pipe, making it ideal for custom AV installations in homes, offices, churches, or commercial spaces.

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Learning Center Article – OM3 vs OM4: a Detailed Comparison

OM3 is a common type of multimode fiber. It utilizes a 50-micrometer core size and is capable of multi-gigabit data transmission across a range of distances. OM4 is considered an upgrade to OM3, but there are some important characteristics to cover. The first is that OM4 is completely reverse-compatible with OM3, meaning you can use OM4 cables with systems that currently run on OM3.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• US reclassifies certain marijuana products as a less-dangerous drug. 
• ​Ping-pong robot Ace makes history by beating top-level human players.
• ​Tesla agreed to buy unnamed AI hardware company for up to $2B.

Midweek brings a global reminder to care for our planet. National Earth Day encourages us to take small steps that make a big impact, from reducing waste to protecting natural resources. What is one simple way you help take care of the planet?

In This Issue: Almost There: A Home in Progress | Deal of the Day | C19 Right Angle to C20 | Common Mistakes in Fiber Optic Installation | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Almost There: A Home in Progress

Happy Wednesday! How’s everyone doing?

From the weekend up to today, we’ve been very busy at home because my parents’ house is almost finished. We’ve been buying things here and there. Aside from their house, I also decided to add a water tank at home. Summer here in my country really feels like drought season, and water supply can be a challenge, so having a water tank would be a great move.

My handy girl side has also been tested these past few days as I helped assemble things for their house. My latest project was a floating cabinet requested by my dad. He’s been mentioning it for a while, so when I had the chance, I ordered one, and it arrived today. As for my mom, she simply wants a curtain rod, hooks for her curtains, and some hanging flower pots for her plants.

We are all tired, but nothing beats their excitement seeing their house nearly done. I thank God for all these blessings.

Anyway, that’s all for now. Wishing everyone a productive and victorious week ahead!

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This 10-foot AC Power Cord features a C19 right-angle connector to a C20 plug, built with 12 AWG heavy-duty wire for reliable power delivery. Rated 20 A / 250 V, it is ideal for high-power equipment, servers, and PDUs. The durable black jacket ensures long-lasting performance in data centers, racks, or industrial environments.

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Learning Center Article – 9 Common Mistakes in Fiber Optic Installation and How to Avoid Them

Fiber optics are still the best way to transmit digital information at extremely high speeds and across long distances. If you need to use fiber optics, then you have some work to do.

The networks don’t design themselves, and installing them requires knowledge and experience. To that end, a few tips can go a long way and help you avoid some of the most common mistakes.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Extreme heat threatens global food systems, UN agencies warn. 
• US dollar climbs as uncertainty grows over Iran ceasefire.
• Oil prices rise after reports container ships in Hormuz hit by gunfire.

Today highlights a hobby rich in history and culture. National Coin Week celebrates the world of coin and currency collecting, connecting people to stories from the past through art and design. Have you ever collected coins or kept one as a keepsake?

In This Issue: A Much-Needed Coastal Reset | Deal of the Day | SFP-10G-SR-S | BIMMF | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Much-Needed Coastal Reset

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone’s having a great week so far!

I am currently enjoying some time in my favorite place, Hilton Head Island! We come here a couple times a year, and it truly is the place that I am able to relax and recharge. Normally I still try to work a good bit while here, but this time I am trying to actually enjoy some time off and disconnect!

We came down on Saturday and the island was a little busy as the PGA tour was here for the RBC Heritage Tournament. I’m guessing things will feel a little less busy as the week goes on and people who came for the tournament head back home. It’s supposed to be a great weather week which is exciting and means I’ll get to spend lots of time outside which is my favorite!

Looking forward to soaking up some sunshine and coming back refreshed. Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco 10GBASE-SR SFP+ is a multi-mode fiber transceiver module that is designed for high-speed connections. The sfp-10g-sr module supports standard fiber connections and provides up to 10 Gbps speeds, ensuring low-latency data transfer for critical applications.

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Learning Center Article – What Is BIMMF?

One of the most common issues with fiber optics is figuring out how to get the cables to run the path that you want and still perform well. Fiber optic lines are notoriously bad at handling bends and corners. One of your best options is to invest in BIMMF cables.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Anthropic to spend over $100 billion over a decade on Amazon’s cloud tech. 
• ​UPS refunding customers that spent money on tariffs.
• ​Tim Cook steps down as Apple CEO, ending 15-year run.

Starting the week with a tasty treat. National Cheddar Fries Day is the perfect excuse to enjoy crispy fries topped with rich, melty cheddar cheese. What toppings would you add to your cheddar fries?

In This Issue: Taking the Weekend to Recharge | Deal of the Day | NEMA 5-15P to 2x NEMA 5-15R Splitter | Wavelengths | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Taking the Weekend to Recharge

Happy Monday!

I don’t have too much to report from this weekend. I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather and spent a good amount of time resting in bed. It wasn’t the easiest weekend, especially since the kids wanted to play and I just didn’t have the energy to keep up. I guess that’s just how life goes sometimes, a mix of ups and downs.

While I was resting, I was able to catch up on a couple of episodes of a show called Paradise. It follows a man trying to find his wife in a post-apocalyptic world, and there’s this massive bunker built for the elite where a lot of the story unfolds. It’s one of those shows that slowly pulls you in, and I’ve been enjoying it so far.

I hope you have a great day and a wonderful week!

Cris

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This NEMA 5-15P to dual NEMA 5-15R splitter power cord allows you to power two devices from a single outlet. It is an efficient solution for reducing cable clutter and eliminating the need for multiple cords. Constructed with heavy-duty 14 AWG SJT cable, this power cord delivers reliable performance and long-lasting durability.

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Learning Center Article – Understanding Wavelengths

No one ever accused fiber optics of being simple technology. Instead, we tend to acknowledge that this powerful technology is difficult to design and complicated in its application. Mastering those complications is often worth it because it enables us to build better networks and do a better job with those networks. In that endeavor, we can tackle a brief tutorial on wavelengths and how they impact fiber optic designs.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Oil jumps, stocks pull back as Mideast ceasefire hangs in the balance. 
• ​Strict water use rules sweep the nation ahead of summer.
• Google is making smart glasses with Gucci, and they’re landing next year.