Technical staff who work with radio communications equipment in radio communications apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. This may include field officers from regulatory authorities or other private and public organisations.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for use of instruments and field equipment

1.1. Plan and prepare work according to site procedures, operating environment and relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards

1.2. Select measurements required to meet performance outcomes

1.3. Read, interpret and use equipment and system manuals, specifications and relevant organisation policy to determine work requirements

1.4. Select and ensure equipment for work activities is ready for operation

1.5. Determine, address and report potential risks and hazards and environmental issues

1.6. Adhere to relevant emergency procedures, policy guidelines and OHS procedures to ensure safety of personnel and plant

2. Test the instruments and field equipment

2.1. Perform safety checks according to instrument and equipment manual and organisational procedures

2.2. Confirm equipment is calibrated and calibration label is within approved timeframes

2.3. Select appropriate traceable calibrated equipment where measurements are required to be traceable to the National Measurements Act

2.4. Label and report damaged or unsafe instruments and field equipment and send for service

2.5. Update operational log books

3. Operate instruments and field equipment

3.1. Optimise instrument and equipment settings for the particular measurement or analysis

3.2. Perform measurements with the optimum precision given field and technical constraints

3.3. Assess data for accuracy and precision against quality control information, known standards and references within measurement uncertainty

4. Maintain instruments and field equipment

4.1. Use fault finding techniques to verify and rectify faults

4.2. Perform preventative maintenance within limits of authorisation and report equipment wear and faults

4.3. Replace defective parts and make adjustments according to equipment specifications

4.4. Seek expert help from appropriate colleagues where problems are encountered

4.5. Update maintenance and calibration records according to organisation procedures

5. Commission new instruments and equipment

5.1. Arrange commissioning procedures with manufacturer's agent

5.2. Unpack, check and assemble instruments and equipment according to manufacturer's warranty requirements

5.3. Check instrument and equipment performance against specifications prior to acceptance of item

5.4. Prepare operating instructions and make available to relevant personnel

Required skills

analytical skills to analyse test results

communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical, operational and legal site matters

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, such as equipment manuals and specifications

numeracy skills to:

check that equipment is calibrated

evaluate technical data

interpret results

take radio frequency (RF) measurements

planning and organisational skills to organise and maintain a range of instruments and equipment

problem solving skills to find simple equipment and instrument faults

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

technical skills to:

operate radio communications test and diagnostic equipment

perform diagnostic and fault-finding procedures

use hand and power tools

Required knowledge

features and operating requirements of calibrated equipment and test equipment:

digital radio communications measuring equipment

RF termination

spectrum analyser

power meter

modulation analyser

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 instruments and equipment

manufacturer's requirements for operation and testing of radio communications equipment and calibrated equipment

measurements according to test specifications

radio communications instruments and equipment

specific OHS requirements that impact on the use and testing of radio communications instruments and equipment

typical issues and challenges that occur with radio communications instruments and field equipment

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:

prepare, operate and maintain a range of instruments and field equipment appropriate to a radio communications environment

comply with site risk control, OHS, environmental, quality and communication requirements

apply knowledge of technical procedures and requirements for different types of equipment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites on which instruments and field equipment can be operated

use of field measurement equipment currently used in industry

relevant instrument and equipment manuals and other procedural documentation.

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 operating and maintaining radio communications equipment

evaluation of measurement results and reports produced by the candidate

evaluation of the candidate's oral or written reports on findings with recommendations.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTRFN4095A Conduct radio frequency measurements.

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.

Operating environment may include:

day or night

dry or wet

field environment

heights or on roof tops

laboratory

old underground workings and voids

stable or broken ground

various natural landscapes.

Legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA):

assignment guidelines

Business Operating Procedures (BOPs)

CIs

Radiocommunications Assignment and Licensing Instruction (RALIs)

spectrum planning reports

technical standards

WI's

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

Australian building codes and regulations

Australian standards

enterprise standards

environmental protection

equipment standards

fire regulations

heritage legislation

international standards

intrinsically safe lightning protection

local government

OHS

Radcoms Act

site engineering standard

Telecoms Act.

Measurements may include:

bandwidth

blocking

carrier frequency

cross modulation

electric field strength (E field)

forward RF power

frequency deviation

harmonic and spurious levels

intermodulation distortion products (IMD)

intermodulation

magnetic field strength (H field)

'mask'

modulation

noise level

occupied spectrum

receiver sensitivity

reflected RF power

return loss

RF power

VSWR.

Equipment may include:

bit error rate tester (BERT)

constellation analyser

data logger

field strength meter

generators

gravity meter

internet protocol (IP) transmitter and receiver

memory magnetometer

mobile communications

modulation analyser

motors

personal protective equipment for RF

portable PC with testing and diagnostic software

return loss measurement set

RF power meter

satellite navigation system

spectrum analyser

transient electromagnetic (TEM) transmitter and receiver

theodolite

two-way radios.

Potential risks and hazards may include:

adverse weather conditions:

electrical storms

extreme heat

fires

floods

earth potential rise (EPR)

EMR

elevated plant

emissions

hazardous chemicals

hazardous gases

laser output

underground plant.

Environmental issues may include:

dust

flora and fauna

materials

noise

run-off

spills

waste management and disposal

water quality.

Measurement uncertainty may include:

intermittent faults

power supply fluctuations

temperature variations

uncalibrated equipment.

Maintenance may include:

calibration of equipment

cleaning and storing

completing usage records

replacing 'remove and replace' components

working adjustments to tolerances.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Radio frequency networks

This unit contains employability skills.