Assessor Resource

CUABRD501
Operate master control

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage, monitor and assess traffic flows of incoming and outgoing television or radio transmission signals using master or network control equipment.

It applies to individuals in large-scale or network broadcasting facilities who manage complex operational activities incorporating a high level of responsibility, including management of a broadcast operations team. They apply well-developed communication, technical and problem-solving skills to ensure program sources and signals are of a high quality and workarounds are found to minimise disruptions to transmissions.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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



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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Plan master or network control operations

1.1 Analyse production and transmission schedules to determine master or network control requirements

1.2 Anticipate and resolve potential problems in collaboration with broadcast operations team members and production personnel

1.3 Check equipment, signal pathways and access to input and output feeds meet transmission and production requirements

1.4 Keep up-to-date with technological changes affecting master control operations and incorporate into planning where appropriate

2. Schedule feeds and equipment requests

2.1 Organise line connections and switching appropriate to delivery method being used for incoming and outgoing feeds

2.2 Check equipment is operational and connected according to transmission and production requirements

2.3 Measure signal parameters before and after conversion and adjust, if necessary, so that converted product meets required standards

2.4 Complete workplace documentation in accordance with enterprise procedures

3. Monitor incoming and outgoing feeds

3.1 Supervise the process of switching feeds into and out of master control during transmissions or recording of productions

3.2 Check quality of feeds meets enterprise and broadcast standards

3.3 Use test equipment to verify signals are free of distortion and within specifications

3.4 Adjust systems to rectify signal problems as required

3.5 Diagnose and resolve equipment and transmission faults efficiently

3.6 Communicate with feed providers to maintain required broadcast quality and facilitate efficient switching of up-links and down-links

4. Provide general technical and operational support

4.1 Assess transmission levels and advise relevant operational personnel of problems with quality of feeds

4.2 Supervise the process of recording or ingesting incoming signals in required broadcast format and delivery of recorded material to transmission and production destinations

4.3 Organise alternate fail-safe and back-up signal paths in event of breakdowns or failures of designated prime sources

4.4 Check information about workplace safety and security procedures is readily available to broadcast operations team members

4.5 Keep team members informed of issues affecting their role and invite their input to and feedback on operations

Evidence of the ability to:

use production and transmission schedules as the basis for planning technical and logistical aspects of master control operations for broadcasting scheduled programs

check line connections and equipment are ready for incoming and outgoing feeds

direct time switching of incoming and outgoing feeds according to transmission requirements

check quality of incoming and outgoing feeds

work collaboratively as a team leader to meet production transmission requirements

troubleshoot and resolve transmission and equipment problems.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

explain key roles and responsibilities of personnel in broadcast operations

outline implications of different broadcast formats for master control operations

describe typical broadcast systems and transmission facilities for radio or television

outline key features of delivery methods for radio or television

identify sources of information about technological developments relating to master control operations

identify typical problems that arise in the context of complex master control operations, and briefly describe solutions

explain the process for assessing whether the quality of feeds meets broadcast standards.

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:

master control equipment

production and transmission schedules

interaction with others.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.


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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Plan master or network control operations

1.1 Analyse production and transmission schedules to determine master or network control requirements

1.2 Anticipate and resolve potential problems in collaboration with broadcast operations team members and production personnel

1.3 Check equipment, signal pathways and access to input and output feeds meet transmission and production requirements

1.4 Keep up-to-date with technological changes affecting master control operations and incorporate into planning where appropriate

2. Schedule feeds and equipment requests

2.1 Organise line connections and switching appropriate to delivery method being used for incoming and outgoing feeds

2.2 Check equipment is operational and connected according to transmission and production requirements

2.3 Measure signal parameters before and after conversion and adjust, if necessary, so that converted product meets required standards

2.4 Complete workplace documentation in accordance with enterprise procedures

3. Monitor incoming and outgoing feeds

3.1 Supervise the process of switching feeds into and out of master control during transmissions or recording of productions

3.2 Check quality of feeds meets enterprise and broadcast standards

3.3 Use test equipment to verify signals are free of distortion and within specifications

3.4 Adjust systems to rectify signal problems as required

3.5 Diagnose and resolve equipment and transmission faults efficiently

3.6 Communicate with feed providers to maintain required broadcast quality and facilitate efficient switching of up-links and down-links

4. Provide general technical and operational support

4.1 Assess transmission levels and advise relevant operational personnel of problems with quality of feeds

4.2 Supervise the process of recording or ingesting incoming signals in required broadcast format and delivery of recorded material to transmission and production destinations

4.3 Organise alternate fail-safe and back-up signal paths in event of breakdowns or failures of designated prime sources

4.4 Check information about workplace safety and security procedures is readily available to broadcast operations team members

4.5 Keep team members informed of issues affecting their role and invite their input to and feedback on operations

Evidence of the ability to:

use production and transmission schedules as the basis for planning technical and logistical aspects of master control operations for broadcasting scheduled programs

check line connections and equipment are ready for incoming and outgoing feeds

direct time switching of incoming and outgoing feeds according to transmission requirements

check quality of incoming and outgoing feeds

work collaboratively as a team leader to meet production transmission requirements

troubleshoot and resolve transmission and equipment problems.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

explain key roles and responsibilities of personnel in broadcast operations

outline implications of different broadcast formats for master control operations

describe typical broadcast systems and transmission facilities for radio or television

outline key features of delivery methods for radio or television

identify sources of information about technological developments relating to master control operations

identify typical problems that arise in the context of complex master control operations, and briefly describe solutions

explain the process for assessing whether the quality of feeds meets broadcast standards.

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:

master control equipment

production and transmission schedules

interaction with others.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

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
Analyse production and transmission schedules to determine master or network control requirements 
Anticipate and resolve potential problems in collaboration with broadcast operations team members and production personnel 
Check equipment, signal pathways and access to input and output feeds meet transmission and production requirements 
Keep up-to-date with technological changes affecting master control operations and incorporate into planning where appropriate 
Organise line connections and switching appropriate to delivery method being used for incoming and outgoing feeds 
Check equipment is operational and connected according to transmission and production requirements 
Measure signal parameters before and after conversion and adjust, if necessary, so that converted product meets required standards 
Complete workplace documentation in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Supervise the process of switching feeds into and out of master control during transmissions or recording of productions 
Check quality of feeds meets enterprise and broadcast standards 
Use test equipment to verify signals are free of distortion and within specifications 
Adjust systems to rectify signal problems as required 
Diagnose and resolve equipment and transmission faults efficiently 
Communicate with feed providers to maintain required broadcast quality and facilitate efficient switching of up-links and down-links 
Assess transmission levels and advise relevant operational personnel of problems with quality of feeds 
Supervise the process of recording or ingesting incoming signals in required broadcast format and delivery of recorded material to transmission and production destinations 
Organise alternate fail-safe and back-up signal paths in event of breakdowns or failures of designated prime sources 
Check information about workplace safety and security procedures is readily available to broadcast operations team members 
Keep team members informed of issues affecting their role and invite their input to and feedback on operations 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUABRD501 - Operate master control
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

CUABRD501 - Operate master control

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: