Assessor Resource

ICTRFN4158A
Select an antenna system for radio communications

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Technical staff from regulatory authorities or other private and public organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They combine technical radio communications skills with broader organisational and administrative skills to evaluate and select antenna systems in a range of commercial and community contexts.

Technical staff may be responsible for small projects or parts of larger projects, and for the coordination and direction of small technical groups.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required for the selection of an antenna system for radio communications to meet given performance requirements.

This unit does not cover the estimation or analysis of radio signals within the desired area of coverage or over a specific radio path. This is covered in ICTRFN5179A Evaluate and analyse radio frequency (RF) signal coverage plots.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.

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 ability to:

select an antenna system

justify and document antenna system selection.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

antenna resources such as manufacturers' data sheets, specifications and catalogues

transmission line resources such as manufacturers' data sheets, specifications and catalogues.

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 evaluating and selecting suitable antenna systems

review of reports completed by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the selection of a radio communications antenna.

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

ICTRFN5179A Evaluate and analyse radio frequency signal coverage plots.

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.

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 skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical, operational and commercial matters

literacy skills to:

interpret technical documentation

write final reports in required format

numeracy skills to:

convert decibel gain values to ratios

evaluate and calculate effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP)

evaluate different types of technical data

interpret results

planning and organisational skills to:

plan, prioritise and monitor own work

coordinate teamwork with others

problem solving and contingency management skills to adapt requirements of particular sites and customers, and modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

research skills to examine and evaluate antenna patterns, specifications and data, and be able to synthesise antenna systems from commercially available products

spatial skills to interpret and convert between two-dimensional and three-dimensional antenna patterns

task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail

Required knowledge

antenna and propagation theory and industry practice

antenna array theory

transmission line theory and industry practice

specific issues related to antenna installations and the creation of particular radiation patterns

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.

Antenna system may include:

antenna array

directional coupler

duplexer

earthing components

ferrite isolator

filter:

cavity

bandpass

band reject

low pass

stub

lightning protection

multiple feedlines

phasing harness

single antenna

single feedline.

Antenna requirements may include:

antenna height above ground

bandwidth:

specified in MHz

specified as % of centre frequency

beamwidth specifications in the:

E plane

H plane

front to back ratio:

gain:

dBi

dBd

minor lobes

mounting method

polarisation:

circular

horizontal

vertical

radiation pattern coverage:

bi-directional

irregular pattern

omnidirectional

unidirectional

radiation pattern specifications in the:

E plane

H plane

radome

shroud.

Feedline requirements may include:

allowable loss in dB

characteristic impedance

mechanical characteristics

method of securing

RF connector type

weatherproofing.

Appropriate persons may include:

customer

engineer

project manager

supervisor.

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
Establish extent of project from design brief or specification within a team environment 
Obtain and review plans and drawings of existing or proposed installation site 
Determine whether antenna system hardware requires a secure hut or shelter 
Determine antenna requirements and antenna feedline requirements from design brief or specifications and research available commercial products 
Determine earthing components to meet regulatory and earthing requirements of antenna system 
Prepare the antenna feedline route to comply with job specifications and regulatory requirements 
Identify installation options and assess against performance requirements and customer requirements 
Evaluate potential antenna system solutions which satisfy required performance, budgetary and regulatory requirements, and are suitable for installation in the specified environment 
Make recommendations and select optimum antenna system 
Document calculations, final specifications and reasons for selection of antenna system 
Prepare a final report, including documentation and drawings of selected antenna system and distribute to appropriate persons in accordance with enterprise policies and procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTRFN4158A - Select an antenna system for radio communications
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

ICTRFN4158A - Select an antenna system for radio communications

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: