Telecommunications and radio communications technicians apply the skills and knowledge in this unit on installations for cellular, radio broadband and digital TV reception applications. Installations may be new or existing, standalone or part of a site with multiple antennas.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan the assembly of an antenna system

1.1. Arrange access to the site according to required procedure

1.2. Apply all relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards in the planning process

1.3. Obtain relevant antenna specifications ,requirements and radio communication site management book (RCSMB) from appropriate personnel

1.4. Organise appropriate installation personnel to be available on site

1.5. Assess relevant hazard levels from RCSMB and take appropriate preventative action according to prescribed safety requirements

1.6. Identify other antennas at site location and notify those who may be affected by outages

1.7. Inspect the antenna system and feedline for physical damage before any further work is performed

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

2. Assemble, mount and align antenna and prepare feedline

2.1. Follow site specific safety requirements and enterprise occupational health and safety (OHS) processes and procedures

2.2. Assemble antenna system in a safe manner according to manufacturer's instructions

2.3. Mount antenna with correct azimuth and polarisation according to manufacturer's instructions and work practices

2.4. Install radome to antenna if provided

2.5. Install lightning protection systems according to plans and specifications

2.6. Align the antenna in the horizontal and vertical planes to maximise signal

3. Test antenna installation and document test results

3.1. Conduct performance tests in a safe manner according to manufacturer's specifications and instructions

3.2. Record, interpret and compare test results with manufacturer's data or the design specifications

3.3. Confirm correct overall operation of antenna system

4. Complete administrative tasks and clean up site

4.1. Complete and store appropriate records and test results according to enterprise policy

4.2. Label radio frequency (RF) transmitter equipment and feed lines according to legislation

4.3. Notify all affected by outage that normal operation can resume

4.4. Clean, pack and store all tools and test equipment and organise transport in suitable protective casing where appropriate

4.5. Restore any changes made to the worksite to the client's satisfaction and obtain sign off

Required skills

communication skills to provide advice and guidance to others or to seek assistance

literacy skills to read and interpret manuals, specifications, relevant enterprise policy and documentation

negotiation skills to enable interaction with site owner and organisations or individuals who may be affected by an outage

numeracy skills to:

evaluate different types of technical data

interpret results

setup and check that equipment is calibrated

take RF measurements

planning and organisational skills to organise and prepare installation resources

problem solving skills to respond to typical antenna installation challenges

task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail and adherence to all safety requirements

technical skills to:

operate a range of specialised radio communications equipment

perform diagnostic procedures

use hand and power tools

Required knowledge

current industry practice for antenna installation including:

earthing

lightning protection

detailed knowledge of procedures and equipment required for:

antenna sweep testing to measure return loss

measurement of distance to fault

measurement of feedline insertion loss

measurement of forward and reflected RF power

features of instrument and equipment test methods and performance requirements

legislation, codes of practice and other formal agreements that directly impact on operation and testing of radio communications antennas and equipment

overview knowledge of antennas and feedlines

RF awareness, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) standards and specific OHS requirements that impact on the use and testing of radio communications instruments and equipment

suitability of antennas to withstand extreme environments

typical issues and challenges that occur in telecommunications antenna installations

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:

conduct installation of a communications antenna according to plans and specifications

assess hazard levels at an RF site and apply knowledge of safety precautions for self, fellow workers and the public at large

mount antenna, connect transmission line and physically align antenna

use appropriate test equipment to perform a return loss sweep measurement or a measurement of forward and reflected power on at least two different antenna systems.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

site for antenna installation

range of antennas and feedlines currently used in industry

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

Methods 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 communications antenna and adjusting its alignment

direct observation of the candidate preparing, securing and connecting a coaxial transmission line or waveguide to the antenna under test

review of sweep test reports completed by the candidate for two different antenna types

oral or written questioning of candidate to assess knowledge of antenna installation practices.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTRFN3070A Install mobile telecommunication in motor vehicles.

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.

Legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standards

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) EMR standard

Australian building codes and regulations

Australian standards

enterprise standards

Environmental Protection Acts

equipment standards,

fire regulations

heritage legislation

international standards

intrinsically safe lightning protection

local government

OHS

Radcoms Act

site engineering standard

Telecoms Act.

Radio Communication Site Management Book (RCSMB) may include:

building coverage

limited

proposed

provisional.

Appropriate personnel may include:

construction manager

consultant

project manager

safety officer

site manager

site supervisor.

Other antennas may include:

belonging to the same organisation

civil agencies

co-located at this site

defence agencies

government agencies

operating in the same or other frequency bands

other carriers

private enterprise.

Antenna system may include:

antenna

connector

flange

feedline.

Feedline may include:

flexible coaxial cable

interconnected cable harness

non-pressurised coaxial lines

pressurised coaxial lines

rigid or semi-rigid coaxial line

waveguide:

circular cross section

elliptical or cross section

non-pressurised types

pressurised types

rectangular cross section

rigid or semi-rigid waveguides.

Tools and equipment may include:

general equipment:

crane

elevated platform

hand and power tools

winch

test equipment:

antenna analyser

directional RF power meter

multimeter

return loss measuring equipment

RF termination

spectrum analyser.

Polarisation may include:

circular polarisation

horizontal direction of electric field

vertical direction of electric field.

Lightning protection systems may include:

air terminal or lightning rod

down conductor

lightning protectors or surge arrestors.

Align may refer to:

azimuth

elevation.

Performance tests may include:

antenna sweep:

antenna analyser

return loss bridge and RF sweep generator

scalar network analyser

vector network analyser

voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) measurements

distance to fault

insertion loss

reflected power:

antenna analyser

directional power meter at a single frequency only

return loss bridge and RF sweep generator

scalar network analyser

vector network analyser

return loss.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Radio frequency networks

This unit contains employability skills.