Assessor Resource

ICTRFN3155A
Construct and test a radio communications device

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Technical staff in the field of radio communications apply the skills and knowledge in this unit to assemble and test a radio transmitter or receiver.

Relevant job roles include radio maintenance technician, radio installer and radio repairer.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to construct and test a radio communications transmitting or receiving device.

This is an entry level and foundation unit in radio communications.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

plan and prepare for construction of a radio communications device

prepare wiring diagram and component list

construct radio communications device

test radio communications device.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

site where radio communications device may be constructed and tested

use of test instruments currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impact on work activities.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate constructing and testing a radio communications device

oral or written questioning of required skills and knowledge

evaluation of report prepared by the candidate outlining construction, testing procedures, results and recommendations.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTTEN2140A Use hand and power tools

ICTRFN3175A Operate and maintain radio communications technical instruments and field equipment.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with technical, operational and business related matters

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation and write reports in required formats

numeracy skills to take test measurements, interpret results and evaluate performance

planning and organisational skills to plan, prioritise and monitor own work

problem solving skills to troubleshoot and manage contingencies to adapt construction and test procedures to requirements of radio communications device

research skills to source components from supplier catalogues, databases and websites

safety awareness skills to:

apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and occupational health and safety (OHS) standards

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

technical skills to:

operate an oscilloscope and radio frequency (RF) test equipment

solder, construct and prepare wires and cables

use hand tools

Required knowledge

electrical symbols and circuit diagrams

general principles of radio communications and radio propagation

identification of:

components

device pinouts

part numbers

polarities

ratings

operation and characteristics of:

amplifiers

demodulators

mixers

modulators

oscillators

principles of modulation

terminology related to radio communications.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standards

AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1

Australian standards

Broadcasting Services Act 1992

enterprise standards

fire regulations

manufacturer's enterprise operating policy and procedures

OHS Act

Privacy Act

Radiocommunications Act 1992

spectrum management regulations

statutory requirements.

Safety issues may relate to:

drilling metal and printed circuit boards

etching printed circuit board

folding metal

soldering

tapping

threading

using metalwork guillotine, notcher or bender.

Radio communications device may include:

amateur band transceiver

amateur band transverter

low noise converter

radio receiver:

AM broadcast receiver

FM stereo broadcast receiver

global positioning system (GPS) receiver

single side band (SSB) receiver

very high frequency (VHF) weather satellite receiver

radio transmitter:

amateur band transmitter

low power FM stereo transmitter.

Project specifications may include:

modulation type:

amplitude modulation:

amplitude shift keying (ASK)

double side band full carrier (DSBFC)

double side band suppressed carrier (DSBSC)

single side band suppressed carrier (SSBSC)

frequency modulation:

analog

frequency shift keying (FSK)

phase modulation:

analog

binary phase shift keying (BPSK)

spread spectrum:

direct sequence

frequency hopping

operating frequency band:

high frequency (HF)

low frequency (LF)

medium frequency (MF)

ultra-high frequency (UHF)

very high frequency (VHF)

very low frequency (VLF)

schematic diagram of radio device

supply voltage

type of radio communications device:

radio transmitter:

RF output power

radio receiver:

sensitivity

transceiver.

Component list may include:

component description:

inductor winding details

power or voltage rating

style

manufacturer

supplier details.

Block diagram may include:

functional blocks:

amplifiers:

audio frequency (AF)

intermediate frequency (IF)

RF

bandpass IF filter

demodulator

direct digital synthesizer (DDS)

low pass filter (LPF)

microcontroller

mixer

modulator

oscillator

power supply.

Method of construction may include:

dead bug

kitset

perforated matrix board

physical layout drawing of the device

printed circuit board

rats nest point-to-point wiring

veroboard.

Enclosure details may include:

die cast box

folded sheet metal

plastic box.

Test points may include:

ground 0 volts

mixer output

oscillator output

positive supply line.

Tools may include:

desoldering braid

drill bits

hand reamer

lead free solder

long nosed pliers

nibbling tool

power drill

safety glasses

screwdrivers

solder sucker

soldering fume extractor

soldering iron and stand

spring loaded side cutters.

Test equipment may include:

AC voltmeter

frequency counter

modulation meter

multimeter

noise and distortion meter

oscilloscope

RF power meter

RF probe

RF signal generator

spectrum analyser.

Performance may include:

receiver:

image frequency response

quieting

sensitivity

signal to noise ratio

SINAD

transmitter:

carrier frequency

harmonic levels

modulation depth

modulation quality

RF output power

spurious oscillations.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Prepare for construction applying all relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards and identify any safety issues 
Determine details of radio communications device to be constructed from project specifications 
Produce wiring diagram, component list and block diagram of the radio communications device to prepare for the construction and testing of the device 
Draw up plans showing the method of construction and the enclosure details 
Designate suitable test points along the signal flow paths on circuit diagram for testing of the functional blocks 
Produce test setups to evaluate the performance of the radio communications device 
Obtain tools and test equipment 
Assemble radio communications device according to circuit diagram and layout drawing 
Test performance and operation of individual functional blocks and overall radio communications device according to the test regime 
Transmit or receive signals to evaluate the qualitative performance through radio communications device 
Document results of test procedures and compare with initial project specifications 
Finalise project report and make recommendations for improvement to the radio communications device 
Remove waste from worksite according to environmental requirements and restore site to safe condition 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTRFN3155A - Construct and test a radio communications device
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

ICTRFN3155A - Construct and test a radio communications device

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: