Assessor Resource

CUFBRT403A
Ensure quality of broadcast output

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Broadcast technicians or technologists apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. Although they work under the direction of a senior technologist or broadcast engineer, they are expected to work with minimum supervision and may, on occasions, be responsible for supervising others.

This unit covers the monitoring the quality and performance of equipment in television and/or radio studios.

Skills associated with the maintenance of equipment and facilities are covered in:

CUFBRT402A Maintain broadcasting facilities and equipment.

Note: To meet the requirements of this unit, candidates need to demonstrate competency in the maintenance of facilities and equipment for either television or radio. The Required Skills and Knowledge section should be tailored accordingly.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to monitor and maintain quality broadcast output from television and/or radio broadcasting facilities.

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

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

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




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.

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 following is essential:

correct interpretation of manufacturer specifications to maintain audio and/or image quality

ability to work as a team member with minimum supervision

efficient monitoring of performance and quality of either radio or television broadcast systems according to enterprise requirements

ability to complete scheduled work on time.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a range of equipment used in either radio or television broadcasting facilities

access to regulatory and industry standards

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

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 questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

observation of the candidate monitoring the quality and performance of broadcasting equipment or systems

written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

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

CUFBRT401A Install or upgrade broadcasting equipment and facilities

CUFBRT402A Maintain broadcasting facilities and equipment

ICTTC101C Locate and diagnose electronic faults

UEENEEH080A Diagnose and rectify faults in digital transmission systems.


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.

Required skills

communication and literacy skills sufficient to:

interpret information from system drawings, equipment specifications and technical handbooks

liaise effectively with customers/clients on the job, including ability to communicate technical terminology in plain English

complete workplace documentation

work and communicate effectively as a team member, including seeking advice and assistance with non-routine equipment or system malfunction

planning and problem solving skills sufficient to:

diagnose electronic faults in specified equipment and broadcast systems

plan maintenance activities to cause minimum disruption to normal work flows

technical skills sufficient to:

use test equipment in a safe manner to undertake regular monitoring of broadcasting equipment and facilities

carry out measurements and adjustments, such as amplitude and frequency response, distortion, noise performance, phase, timing, bit error rate (BER), data network performance and mechanical performance

adjust sync timing and sub-carrier phasing

adjust signal timing for analogue components

judge quality of sound and/or vision output

self-management skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance as required

numeracy skills sufficient to interpret and record test measurement data

Required knowledge

light, human vision and colourimetry:

visible light and its position within the electromagnetic spectrum

structure and function of the human eye

human vision and the ability to perceive motion from a series of still images

colourimetry and the television system

features of test measurement equipment, including:

waveform monitor

peam program meter (PPM)

reference signals, e.g. video or audio line-up signals

performance limitations of signal paths, e.g. cliff effect

variations of test methods, e.g. waveform display errors, meter errors

effect of the measurement equipment itself on the measured system

industry knowledge, including:

structure of the broadcasting industry

roles and responsibilities of personnel in the broadcasting industry

impact of technological changes on maintenance procedures

correct terminology, e.g. symbols, terminology and conventions used for electrical, mechanical and electronic drawings and specifications

regulatory and industry standards relevant to field of work (see range statement for examples)

product knowledge, e.g. manufacturer standards and specifications

sources of advice, information, and technical support

issues and challenges that arise in the context of maintaining broadcasting facilities and equipment

features and operational standards for enterprise-specific equipment, facilities and systems, e.g.:

audio transmission systems, e.g. basic radio systems, AM/FM transmission, FM VHF transmission, digital radio, streaming audio

television transmission systems, e.g. analogue, digital, multi-channelling and high definition

aspect ratios, e.g. aspect ratio converters (ARCs), wide-screen signalling (WSS) and aspect format descriptors (AFD) codes

signal routing system, e.g. principles of signal routing, network switching, source selection in the radio environment, network routing systems, timed switching systems

server-based audio systems

audio mixing systems, e.g. analogue on-air mixing systems, analogue production mixing consoles, digital on-air mixing systems, digital production mixing systems, digital production environments

television standards, e.g. PAL, NTSC, SECAM, digital

OHS requirements as they relate to maintenance operations, e.g. protective clothing and personal safety systems; safe isolation of equipment, such as mechanical, electricity, gas, air or fluids; weight loading; and manual handling

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.

Broadcasting equipment may include:

master control

outside broadcast van

post-production facilities

studio.

Signal source may be:

multiple

single.

Relevant personnel may include:

architect

building personnel

designers

equipment operators

floor manager

head of department

other specialist personnel

other technical personnel

producer

production assistant

production designer

production manager

station manager

subcontracted personnel

supervisor

technical director.

Faults in performance and condition of equipment may include:

electrical, e.g.:

power supply

earthing

motors

indicators

switches

relays

electronic, e.g.:

signal presence

waveform

component condition

mechanical, e.g.:

wear and tear

alignment

movement

interference.

Broadcast systems may include:

analogue

computer

digital.

Documentation may include:

fault reports

history cards

instruction sheets

logbooks

purchase orders.

Methods and procedures may include:

computer modelling

databases

flow/process diagrams

graphical analysis

spreadsheets.

Test equipment may include:

audio test set

automatic measuring equipment

computer

digital analysis equipment

multimeter

oscilloscope

RF measurement test set

test signal generator

video waveform monitor.

Broadcast outputs may relate to:

audio transmission

video transmission.

Monitoring equipment may include:

picture monitor

vectorscope

video waveform monitor.

Regulatory and industry standards may include:

ACMA technical standards

Australian and international standards

Australian building codes and regulations

confined spaces regulations

environmental legislation

fire regulations

heritage legislation

industry codes of practice

noise abatement

OHS

trade practices legislation.

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
Ensure correct output level devices are placed in circuit to correct for losses, deficiencies or degradation 
Make adjustments to broadcasting equipment, with reference to equipment and maintenance manuals as required 
Contact play out source to adjust levels if required 
Monitor and track the signal source 
Locate problems and determine arrangements for rectification in consultation with relevant personnel 
Monitor performance and condition of broadcast systems and broadcasting equipment according to enterprise procedures 
Complete workplace documentation as required 
Confirm purpose of data analysis 
Obtain relevant test data and promptly resolve data inconsistencies 
Analyse data using approved methods and procedures 
Check that data analysis is accurate and thorough and takes account of test conditions 
Compare analysis against product or asset specification and identify faults or variations from specification 
Record results of analyses in the appropriate format 
Use appropriate test equipment to test that broadcast outputs are within specification and phase 
Use level meters to check frequency response 
Report noise and distortion problems to relevant personnel 
Negotiate solutions to distortion problems with the originator/source according to enterprise procedures 
Check/calibrate monitoring equipment to ensure it is functioning correctly 
Analyse broadcast output to identify problems and faults. 
Check inbound and outbound equipment, satellite and telecom units 
Monitor quality of transmission according to enterprise operating procedures 
Carry out monitoring activities effectively with minimum disruption to broadcasting operations 
Determine problems with transmission and take remedial action as required 
Record details of monitoring activity according to enterprise procedures and regulatory and industry standards 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFBRT403A - Ensure quality of broadcast output
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

CUFBRT403A - Ensure quality of broadcast output

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: