Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance Criteria

1

Transmit and receive communications with radiotelephony equipment

1.1

Types of radio equipment are selected and used in accordance with their limitations and operational requirements.

1.2

Radiotelephony procedures are used to transmit and receive various types of signal with different types of equipment.

1.3

Regulations applicable to ship stations equipped with radiotelephony and digital selective calling (DSC) facilities are obeyed.

2

Repair and maintain communications equipment

2.1

Fault finding procedures are used to identify and rectify defective radio equipment.

2.2

Routine maintenance is carried out on radio equipment.

3

Access search and rescue facilities

3.1

Access is made to the appropriate organisation for the provision of the required search and rescue services.

3.2

Information required by the AUSREP (Australian ship reporting) system is supplied in the required format.

3.3

Emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) are deployed as required according to manufacturer's instructions and accepted search and rescue procedures.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose

Underpinning knowledge

The underpinning knowledge identified for this unit is comprehensive due to its likely inclusion in a group of units that may be used as the basis for the issue of licences by regulatory bodies.

The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:

principles of signal transmission in order to avoid equipment limitations

methods of communicating vessel position

purpose for and monitoring of calling and working frequencies

purpose of silence periods

limitations on different types of radio equipment

a basic understanding of the Australian marine search and rescue system

hazards associated with radio transmission and the repair and maintenance of equipment.

Practical skills

The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:

calling, replying and relaying procedures

transmitting and decoding of the phonetic alphabet, excluding the figure code

identifying different types of radio equipment

measuring capacity of batteries and the specific gravity of the electrolyte

measuring on and off load voltage.

Literacy skills used for:

reading radio frequencies

reading fuse capacity.

Numeracy skills used for:

adjusting settings.

Critical aspects of competence

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

operate and maintain the full range of radio equipment found aboard small vessels to send and receive routine and emergency signals

select frequencies appropriate for different types of signal transmission and reception

use transceiver controls

use message formats appropriate to general, safety, urgency, alarm and distress signals

operate MF/HF and VHF radio equipment to transmit and receive signals

test equipment and identify and rectify common faults occurring to radio equipment

perform routine maintenance on radio equipment

deploy EPIRBs correctly

take appropriate action on receipt of various signals

access all services available from the various organisations listed

transmit and decode messages with the phonetic alphabet, excluding the figure code.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

services available from organisations and the methods of accessing emergency and communications services

authority to transmit and the circumstances of use of alarm and distress signals

regulatory requirements covering:

ship station licence

authority of skipper

secrecy of communications

false or deceptive distress or urgency signals

unnecessary transmissions

keeping a log

avoiding interference

ship station identification

information to be made available to coast stations

documentation to be kept on board

language to be used during transmission.

Interdependent assessment of units

This unit may be assessed after/with:

no recommendations.

Context of assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

written or oral short answer testing

practical exercises

project work

observation of practical demonstration.

Resources required for assessment

Resources may include:

fully operational radiotelephony equipment

digital selective calling equipment

equipment for assessing voice procedures

equipment for assessing ability to identify and rectify faults with radio equipment and power supply

EPIRBs

radio communication simulation.

Key competencies

This refers to the seven areas of generic competency that underpin effective workplace practices. The key competencies cover the three levels of performance in the following areas:

Communicating ideas and information

Collecting, analysing and organising information

Planning and organising activities

Working with others and in teams

Using mathematical ideas and techniques

Solving problems

Using technology

Level 2

2

1

1

2

2

2

Range of variables

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present

Radio equipment:

radiotelephony equipment:

medium frequency/high frequency equipment (MF/HF)

very high frequency equipment (VHF)

digital selective calling (DSC) equipment

emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)

single battery

two batteries connected in series, parallel or in combination of the two

aerials

electrical and radio cable connections

electrical fuses and their current carrying capacity.

Limitations:

changes in transmission ability with time of day

line of sight

transmission power and geographic range

COSPAS-SARSAT availability.

Procedures:

as contained in the current 'Marine Radio Operators Handbook for Small Craft':

fault finding

power supply

transceiver

antenna

DSC formats

general voice procedures and phonetic alphabet

safety, urgency, alarm and distress formats

silence periods

appropriate frequencies.

Types of signal:

via COSPAS-SARSAT

straight line

via atmospheric layers

relayed between various organisations

general

public correspondence:

stations accepting radiotelegrams and radiotelephone calls

ship to shore radiotelephone calls

on demand service

auto seaphone service

auto seaphone 999 service

safety

urgency

alarm and distress.

Regulations:

arising from Federal communications legislation:

Australian Communications Authority Act 1997

Radiocommunications Act 1992

Telecommunications Act 1997

Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1997.

Organisations:

search and rescue coordination centre location and operator

state police forces

coast stations

limited coast stations

fishing organisations and cooperatives

private shore stations

volunteer coast guard stations.

Services:

medical advice

AUSREP

search and rescue

public correspondence.

Emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs):

of the type:

406MHz

121.5/243 MHz.