Technical staff who install or replace receiving antennas on single and multiple dwellings, commercial buildings and telecommunications structures apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

This unit may apply to installations for digital radio and digital TV reception applications. Installations may be new or existing, standalone or part of a site with multiple antennas.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for work on a terrestrial antenna

1.1. Prepare for installation applying all relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards and identify any safety issues

1.2. Organise resources to be available on site

1.3. Notify customer to arrange access to the site and possible outage

1.4. Organise tools and equipment and ensure they are in safe working order and adjusted to manufacturer's specifications

2. Assemble and mount antenna and coaxial cable

2.1. Assemble antenna on site according to plans, specifications and enterprise guidelines using safe industry practice

2.2. Connect coaxial cable to antenna and install lightning protection devices

2.3. Mount antenna to structure and set polarisation and initial antenna azimuth and elevation

3. Test and align antenna system

3.1. Connect installed antenna system to appropriate test equipment and pan antenna to optimise the signal across all specified channel frequencies

3.2. Conduct performance tests according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise guidelines

3.3. Interpret test results and compare with manufacturer's design specifications and make adjustments

4. Complete administrative duties

4.1. Record test results and complete appropriate records

4.2. Secure and clean up site to original condition in an environmentally safe manner

4.3. Notify customer of work completion and obtain sign off

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with customer on operational and site matters

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, including antenna specifications and test equipment manuals

numeracy skills to:

evaluate different types of technical data

interpret results

take radio frequency (RF) measurements

planning and organisation skills to arrange site access

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:

assemble antenna according to plans

physically align antenna

strip, prepare and terminate single, dual, triple and quad shield coaxial cable

use hand and power tools and operate test equipment

use multimeter to test coaxial cable

use signal level meter or spectrum analyser

Required knowledge

antenna:

directivity

front to back ratio

optimum placement

pattern

polarisation

bit error ratio (BER)

coaxial cable types and properties

electromagnetic waves:

absorption by trees and buildings

awareness of exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR)

reflection

legislation, codes of practice and other formal agreements that directly impact on antenna installation

modulation:

bandwidth

individual spectrum shape of analog and digital television signals and DAB+ digital radio signals

modulation error ratio (MER)

RF spectrum:

Australian DAB+ digital radio channel frequencies

Australian television UHF and VHF channel plan (digital and analog)

terminology related to bands used for broadcasting (Bands I , II, III, IV and V)

signal level expressed in dBuV units

specific OHS requirements that impact on the installation of terrestrial antenna equipment

television antenna product knowledge

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:

assemble, install, align and test a terrestrial antenna according to plans and specifications, and site specific safety requirements

conduct performance tests according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise guidelines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

site for antenna installation

range of antennas and coaxial cables currently used in industry

range of general and test equipment required for antenna installation and testing.

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 installing a directional receiving antenna with a given direction of polarisation

direct observation of the candidate preparing, securing and connecting a coaxial cable to the antenna

direct observation of appropriate signal performance measurement and adjustment of azimuth alignment

oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTRFN2163A Install a satellite antenna

ICTDRE3156A Install digital reception 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.

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 building codes and regulations

AS/NZS 1367:2007

AS/NZS 1768:2007

AS 1417.1:1987

enterprise standards

environmental protection

fire regulations

heritage legislation

industrial relations agreements including awards and enterprise

international standards

local government

manufacturer's enterprise operating policy and procedures

national code

OHS Act

other services and utilities codes of practice and standards:

electricity

gas

water

power company requirements

Privacy Act

spectrum management authority

statutory requirements

Trade Practices Act

traditional land owners.

Safety issues may refer to:

devices to support construction personnel at heights:

elevated personnel vehicles

non-metallic ladders

platforms

external factors affecting works:

concentration of other services

terrain

weather conditions

precautions for unsafe weather conditions to undertake works:

heavy rains

high winds

severe cold

severe heat

thunderstorms

preparing for work at a telecommunications site with potential EMR hazards

safety issues in:

fall arrest

fall guarding

roof work

working safely on telecommunications radio structures.

Tools and equipment may include:

fall arrest systems required on structure where no ladder cages installed

general equipment:

elevated platform

hand and power tools

ladder

winch

magnetic compass

personal protective equipment:

earmuffs

eye protection

dust protection

gloves

hard hats

personal reflecting jackets

safety boots

safety equipment:

aerial safety belts and lines

helmets

safety cages

traffic signs

warning signs and tapes

witches hats.

Coaxial cable may include:

coaxial cable with flooded polyethylene (PE) jacket for underground applications

RG11 quad shielded coaxial cable

RG6 quad shielded coaxial cable.

Polarisation may include:

circular

horizontal

vertical.

Initial antenna azimuthand elevation may be set according to:

best estimate of transmitter direction

compass bearing provided by plans

portable measuring instrument.

Test equipment may include:

antenna analyser

digital video broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T) digital terrestrial meter

field strength meter

multimeter

signal level meter

spectrum analyser.

Optimise the signal may refer to:

achieving uniform performance across multiple channels

carrier to noise ratio (C/N)

BER pre forward error correction (FEC)

MER

signal strength in dBuV.

Performance tests may include:

signal quality across all terrestrial digital channels

signal strength of analog television channels

signal strength of digital television channels.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Radio frequency networks

This unit contains employability skills.