Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

DEFCA005B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Operate communications equipment

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency DEFCA005B - Operate communications equipment
Description This unit covers the competency required to select, set up, operate and maintain a range of communications systems and equipment. The individual will be responsible for inspecting the communications equipment prior to deployment and once in location, establishing and maintaining communications. Compliance with radiotelephone procedure, including authentication procedures, is an essential part of the competency. The unit also covers the ability to manage contingencies such as lost communications, jamming and interference, and implementing the necessary protocols to maintain or re-establish communications.Competency in this unit will usually be demonstrated in field conditions under supervision. However, competence in establishing, operating and maintaining communications equipment must be demonstrated by the individual.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Prerequisite Unit/sBSBCMN311A Maintain workplace safety
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Use communications systems and equipment
  • Communication equipment appropriate to the task is selected, inspected, tested and faults are reported in accordance with standard procedures
  • Communication equipment is set up and operated safely using authorised radio telephone procedure in accordance with standard procedures
  • Appropriate communication systems are utilised to facilitate the transmission and reception of voice and data
       
Element: Transmit and receive communications
  • Information is transmitted in accordance with standard procedures
  • Contact is acknowledged, communication is confirmed and action is taken as required in accordance with standard procedures
  • Communication faults and deficiencies are managed and alternative communication strategies are utilised in accordance with standard procedures
  • Communications are processed and recorded in accordance with standard procedures
       
Element: Maintain communications equipment
  • Fault finding techniques are applied and basic maintenance and routine servicing is conducted in accordance with standard procedures
  • Faulty equipment is identified, noted for repair and documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures
       


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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to set up and operate selected items of communications equipment, utilise correct radio telephone procedure and maintain communications using alternative strategies when contact is lost.

Assessment should also confirm the ability to:

inspect and test communications equipment

set up equipment and establish communications

use radio telephone procedure

apply fault finding techniques

employ alternative communication strategies

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated in a range of communications activities conducted over an extended time frame to provide the operating and field conditions described in the Range Statement. The individual should operate a range of equipment and deal with contingencies in a number of contexts over an extended period

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed under field conditions. Evidence should be gathered by observing the individual completing a number of communication tasks using a range of communications equipment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to:

communications equipment and accessories relevant to the task

training area with a range of terrain and vegetation.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

operate current radio equipment, including secure equipment

utilise communication systems

use radio telephone procedure, including codes

employ alternative communications strategies

clean and service communication equipment

report communication faults and deficiencies

follow instructions/directives and report information

read and implement written or verbal orders and procedures

Required Knowledge

range of communication equipment and accessories available

communications protocols, policy and procedures relevant to the operation of communication equipment

radio telephone procedure, including the use of codes

principles of teamwork and teams aims and objectives

composition of teams and roles and responsibility of team members

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Field conditions may include

A range of terrain, soil and vegetation

Under all weather conditions

By day or night and under illumination

Communications systems may include

Networks

Communication protocols

Geographical information systems

Communication equipment may include

Personal computers and modems

HF, VHF and UHF communications systems, accessories and equipment

Facsimile machines

Mobile telephones

Landline and satellite telephones

Pagers

Specialised communications equipment used in search tasks

Secure and insecure systems

Man-pack and vehicle mounted configurations

A range of antennas

Standard procedures and instructions refer to

Written and verbal orders and instructions

Procedures manuals, job guides, communications pamphlets and other publications

Manufacturer's handbooks, industry specifications and technical instructions

Communications protocols, policy and procedures

Radio telephone procedure may include

Phonetic alphabet

Voice procedure

Call signs

Use of abbreviations

Emergency procedures

Use of codes

Submission of routine reports and returns

Alternative communication strategies may include

Transmitting on another band or frequency

Changing frequencies

Changing aerials

Changing equipment

Use of landline

Use of remote devices and radio relay

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
Communication equipment appropriate to the task is selected, inspected, tested and faults are reported in accordance with standard procedures 
Communication equipment is set up and operated safely using authorised radio telephone procedure in accordance with standard procedures 
Appropriate communication systems are utilised to facilitate the transmission and reception of voice and data 
Information is transmitted in accordance with standard procedures 
Contact is acknowledged, communication is confirmed and action is taken as required in accordance with standard procedures 
Communication faults and deficiencies are managed and alternative communication strategies are utilised in accordance with standard procedures 
Communications are processed and recorded in accordance with standard procedures 
Fault finding techniques are applied and basic maintenance and routine servicing is conducted in accordance with standard procedures 
Faulty equipment is identified, noted for repair and documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFCA005B - Operate communications equipment
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

DEFCA005B - Operate communications equipment

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: