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.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to select antenna system

1.1. Establish extent of project from design brief or specification within a team environment

1.2. Obtain and review plans and drawings of existing or proposed installation site

1.3. Determine whether antenna system hardware requires a secure hut or shelter

1.4. Determine antenna requirements and antenna feedline requirements from design brief or specifications and research available commercial products

1.5. Determine earthing components to meet regulatory and earthing requirements of antenna system

1.6. Prepare the antenna feedline route to comply with job specifications and regulatory requirements

1.7. Identify installation options and assess against performance requirements and customer requirements

2. Select antenna system

2.1. Evaluate potential antenna system solutions which satisfy required performance, budgetary and regulatory requirements, and are suitable for installation in the specified environment

2.2. Make recommendations and select optimum antenna system

3. Document antenna system selection

3.1. Document calculations, final specifications and reasons for selection of antenna system

3.2. Prepare a final report, including documentation and drawings of selected antenna system and distribute to appropriate persons in accordance with enterprise policies and procedures

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 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.

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.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Radio frequency networks

This unit contains employability skills.