Application
Technical staff who install or replace satellite antennas on single and multiple dwellings, commercial buildings, telecommunications structures and at ground level apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. Installations may be new or existing, standalone or part of a site with multiple antennas. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare for work on a satellite antenna | 1.1. Prepare for installation applying all relevantlegislation, codes, regulations and standards and identify any safety issues 1.2. Organise resources to be available on site 1.3. Notify customer to arrange access to the site and possible outage 1.4. Organise tools and equipment and ensure they are in safe working order and adjusted to manufacturer's specifications 1.5. Obtain details of satellite to be acquired and precise details of satellite antennalocation 1.6. Determine the look angles for the satellite receiving antenna 1.7. Determine polarisation angle of the satellite receiving antenna feedhorn 1.8. Determine suitable position to mount the antenna with agreement from customer |
2. Assemble and mount satellite antenna and cables | 2.1. Assemble satellite antenna on site according to plans, specifications and enterprise guidelines using safe industry practices 2.2. Connect coaxial cable to antenna and install lightning protection devices 2.3. Mount satellite antenna onto installed mounting arrangements and set initial antenna azimuth, elevationand polarisation |
3. Test and align antenna system | 3.1. Connect installed antenna system to satellite receiver or test equipment and make final adjustments to azimuth, elevation and polarisation to optimise the signal level and quality 3.2. Conduct performance tests according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise guidelines 3.3. Interpret test results and compare with manufacturer's design specifications and make adjustments |
4. Complete administrative duties | 4.1. Record test results and complete appropriate records 4.2. Secure and clean up site to original condition in an environmentally safe manner 4.3. Notify customer of work completion and obtain sign off |
Required Skills
Required skills |
communication skills to liaise with customer on operational and site matters literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, including antenna specifications and test equipment manuals numeracy skills to: determine look angles from charts or by calculation evaluate different types of technical data interpret results take radio frequency (RF) measurements planning and organisation skills to arrange site access safety awareness skills to: apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and occupational health and safety (OHS) standards work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment technical skills to: assemble antenna according to plans physically align antenna strip, prepare and terminate single, dual, triple and quad shield coaxial cable use hand and power tools and operate test equipment use multimeter to test coaxial cable use signal level meter or spectrum analyser |
Required knowledge |
antenna: directivity front to back ratio operation of parabolic reflector and feedhorn optimum placement pattern polarisation bit error ratio (BER) coaxial cable types and properties electromagnetic waves: absorption by trees and buildings awareness of exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) reflection legislation, codes of practice and other formal agreements that directly impact on antenna installation modulation: bandwidth individual spectrum shape of digital satellite television signals modulation error ratio (MER) RF spectrum: terminology related to bands used for satellite broadcasting: (C, S, L, Ku, Ka bands) satellite antenna product knowledge signal level expressed in dBuV units specific OHS requirements that impact on the installation of satellite antenna equipment |
Evidence Required
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: assemble, install, align and test a satellite antenna according to plans and specifications, and site specific safety requirements conduct performance tests according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise guidelines. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: suitable site for satellite antenna installation range of antennas and cables currently used in industry range of general and test equipment required for satellite antenna installation and testing. |
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 installing a satellite receiving antenna given the satellite details and the satellite antenna coordinates direct observation of the candidate preparing, securing and connecting a cable to the satellite antenna direct observation of appropriate signal performance measurement and adjustment of azimuth, elevation and polarisation alignment oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge . |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: ICTRFN2164A Install a terrestrial antenna ICTDRE3156A Install digital reception equipment. 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. |
Range Statement
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. | |
Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include: | Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standards AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1 Australian building codes and regulations AS/NZS 1367:2007 AS/NZS 1768:2007 AS 1417.1:1987 enterprise standards environmental protection fire regulations heritage legislation industrial relations agreements including awards and enterprise agreements international standards local government manufacturer's enterprise operating policy and procedures national code OHS Act other services and utilities codes of practice and standards: electricity gas water power company requirements Privacy Act Spectrum Management Authority statutory requirements Trade Practices Act traditional land owners. |
Safety issues may refer to: | devices to support construction personnel at heights: elevated personnel vehicles non-metallic ladders platforms external factors affecting works: concentration of other services terrain weather conditions precautions for unsafe weather conditions to undertake works: heavy rains high winds severe cold severe heat thunderstorms preparing for work at a telecommunications site with potential EMR hazards safety issues in: fall arrest fall guarding roof work. |
Tools and equipment may include: | fall arrest systems required on structure where no ladder cages installed general equipment: elevated platform hand and power tools ladder winch magnetic compass personal protective equipment: earmuffs eye protection dust protection gloves hard hats personal reflecting jackets safety boots safety equipment: aerial safety belts and lines helmets safety cages traffic signs warning signs and tapes witches hats. |
Details of satellite may include: | horizontally polarised transponders: forward correction error (FEC) frequency symbol rate satellite longitude satellite name vertically polarised transponders: FEC frequency symbol rate. |
Satellite antenna location may include: | latitude longitude. |
Look angles may refer to: | azimuth angle relative to north elevation angle relative to horizontal. |
Suitable position may include: | consideration of future building additions consideration of growth of trees ground level outside wall of building rooftop unobstructed view in direction of satellite. |
Coaxial cable may include: | coaxial cable with flooded polyethylene (PE) jacket for underground applications RG11 quad shielded RG6 quad shielded. |
Initial antenna azimuth, elevation and polarisation may be set according to: | calibrated markings on antenna mount inclinometer magnetic compass plumb bob. |
Test equipment may include: | field strength meter multimeter satellite meter signal level meter spectrum analyser. |
Optimise the signal may refer to: | achieving uniform performance across multiple transponders BER pre FEC carrier to noise ratio (C/N) MER signal strength in dBuV. |
Performance tests may include: | signal quality across all satellite digital channels signal strength of satellite digital television channels. |
Sectors
Unit sector | Telecommunications |
Competency Field
Radio frequency networks |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not Applicable