Description
Radio technicians install, adjust, test, maintain, and repair mobile or stationary radio transmitting and receiving equipment and two-way radio communications systems. They also monitor their performance and determine causes of faults.
Duties
The duties of a radio technician include, but are not limited to:
- Installing computer hardware and software such as operating systems or applications on a computer system
- Setting up, testing, and maintaining radio towers, equipment racks, intercom systems, and other equipment used in radio stations
- Installing and repairing radio towers, antennae, cables, insulators, switches, and other equipment used in radio transmission and reception
- Installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wires and cables used in electronic equipment repair and installation
- Installing intercom systems in businesses and homes to enable communication between rooms and floors
- Maintaining radio station logs to ensure that broadcasting is done at all times
- Coordinating with other staff members to ensure that programming is broadcast at scheduled times
- Installing and repairing electrical wiring systems in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings
- Installing and repairing telephone equipment, including transmitters, receivers, and switching equipment
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to radio technician:
radio technicians
radio communications technician
Working conditions
Radio technicians work in a variety of settings, including broadcast studios, production studios, and radio and television stations. They may also work in the field, setting up and maintaining equipment at live events, such as concerts, sports events, and conventions.
Radio technicians typically work full time, and their work hours may include early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays. Some radio technicians may be required to work overtime, especially if they are working on a deadline for a live event. Radio technicians may work in a fast-paced and stressful environment, and they need to be able to think quickly and solve problems on the spot.
Minimum qualifications
Radio technicians typically need an associateโs degree or a post-secondary certificate. These programs typically take two years to complete and include courses in electronics, radio systems, radio repair and maintenance, and radio system installation.
Radio technicians receive on-the-job training from their supervisors or other experienced technicians. This training helps the technician learn the specific procedures and processes of the organization. Radio technicians can also receive training through internships. During an internship, the technician gains practical experience in a radio communications center.
ISCO skill level
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
- the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
- the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
- the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Radio technician is a Skill level 2 occupation.
Radio technician career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to radio technician.
telecommunications equipment maintainer
telecommunications technician
communication infrastructure maintainer
avionics technician
telephone switchboard operator
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of radio technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of radio technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
broadcast technician
ICT network technician
telecommunications engineering technician
audio-visual technician
customs officer
Essential knowledge and skills
Essential knowledge
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of radio technician.
- Electromagnetism: The study of electromagnetic forces and the interaction between electric and magnetic fields. The interaction between electrically charged particles can create magnetic fields with a certain range or frequency andย electricity can be produced by the changing of these magnetic fields.
- Electronics principles: The study of electric energy, more specifically electron, control and its prominent principles regarding integrated circuits and electrical systems.
- Analog electronics theory: The theory based on analogue circuits in which volumes (voltage or current) continuously vary over time.
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of radio technician.
- Solder electronics: Operate and use soldering tools and soldering iron, which supply high temperatures to melt the solder and to join electronic components.
- Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
- Use repair manuals: Apply the information, such as periodic maintenance charts, step by step repair instructions, troubleshooting information and overhaul procedures to perform routine maintenance and repairs.
- Install electronic communication equipment: Set up and deploy digital and analogue electronic communications. Understand electronic diagrams and equipment specifications.
- Operate signal generator: Tend electronic devices or software tone generators that produce digital or analog repeating or non-repeating electronic signals in order to design, test and repair electronic and acoustic equipment.
- Calibrate electronic instruments: Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer and using calibration devices.
- Inspect cables: Examine cables and lines to detect possible breakage or damage.
- Operate electronic measuring instruments: Tend a wide variety of devices for measuring electronic characteristics of system components, such as optical power meter, fibre power meter, digital power meter and multimeter.
- Maintain radio communications equipment: Perform testing or repairing activities on radio transmitting and receiving equipment, such as testing control circuits.
- Maintain electronic equipment: Check and repair electronic equipment. Detect malfunction, locate faults and take measures to prevent damage.
- Install monitors for process control: Plan and deploy a system of monitors for controlling specific processes in an organisation or a system.
- Assemble telecommunications devices: Put together the parts and components of devices using technological methods for the transmission and reception of information.
- Interpret technical information for electronic repair work: Analyse and understand given technical information for electronic repair work.
- Estimate duration of work: Produce accurate calculations on time necessary to fulfill future technical tasks based on past and present information andย observations or plan the estimated duration of individual tasks in a given project.
- Interpret electronic design specifications: Analyse and understand detailed electronic design specifications.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of radio technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Microwave principles: The technologies used in transmission of information or energy via electromagnetic waves between 1000 and 100,000 MHz.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of radio technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Manage ICT project: Plan, organize, control and document procedures and resources, such as human capital, equipment and mastery, in order to achieve specific goals and objectives related to ICT systems, services or products, within specific constraints, such as scope, time, quality and budget.
- Maintain theatre equipment: Check up on, maintain and repair tools and machinery used for onstage purposes, such as lighting equipment, stage sets or scene-change machinery.
- Install low voltage wiring: Plan, deploy, troubleshoot and test low voltage wiring.
ISCO group and title
7422 – Information and communications technology installers and servicers
References
- Radio technician – ESCO
- Radio Technician Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
- Featured image: By http://www.marines.mil/unit/3rdmaw/PublishingImages/2006/avrad004.jpg, Public Domain