Application
Technical staff in the field of radio communications apply the skills and knowledge in this unit to assemble and test a radio transmitter or receiver. Relevant job roles include radio maintenance technician, radio installer and radio repairer. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare to construct radio communications device | 1.1. Prepare for construction applying all relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards and identify any safety issues 1.2. Determine details of radio communications device to be constructed from project specifications 1.3. Produce wiring diagram, component list and block diagram of the radio communications device to prepare for the construction and testing of the device 1.4. Draw up plans showing the method of construction and the enclosure details 1.5. Designate suitable test points along the signal flow paths on circuit diagram for testing of the functional blocks 1.6. Produce test setups to evaluate the performance of the radio communications device 1.7. Obtain tools and test equipment |
2. Construct and test radio communications device | 2.1. Assemble radio communications device according to circuit diagram and layout drawing 2.2. Test performance and operation of individual functional blocks and overall radio communications device according to the test regime 2.3. Transmit or receive signals to evaluate the qualitative performance through radio communications device |
3. Complete documentation and clean up worksite | 3.1. Document results of test procedures and compare with initial project specifications 3.2. Finalise project report and make recommendations for improvement to the radio communications device 3.3. Remove waste from worksite according to environmental requirements and restore site to safe condition |
Required Skills
Required skills |
communication skills to liaise with technical, operational and business related matters literacy skills to interpret technical documentation and write reports in required formats numeracy skills to take test measurements, interpret results and evaluate performance planning and organisational skills to plan, prioritise and monitor own work problem solving skills to troubleshoot and manage contingencies to adapt construction and test procedures to requirements of radio communications device research skills to source components from supplier catalogues, databases and websites 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: operate an oscilloscope and radio frequency (RF) test equipment solder, construct and prepare wires and cables use hand tools |
Required knowledge |
electrical symbols and circuit diagrams general principles of radio communications and radio propagation identification of: components device pinouts part numbers polarities ratings operation and characteristics of: amplifiers demodulators mixers modulators oscillators principles of modulation terminology related to radio communications. |
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: plan and prepare for construction of a radio communications device prepare wiring diagram and component list construct radio communications device test radio communications device. |
Context of, and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: site where radio communications device may be constructed and tested use of test instruments currently used in industry relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impact on work activities. |
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 constructing and testing a radio communications device oral or written questioning of required skills and knowledge evaluation of report prepared by the candidate outlining construction, testing procedures, results and recommendations. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: ICTTEN2140A Use hand and power tools ICTRFN3175A Operate and maintain radio communications technical instruments and field 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 standards Broadcasting Services Act 1992 enterprise standards fire regulations manufacturer's enterprise operating policy and procedures OHS Act Privacy Act Radiocommunications Act 1992 spectrum management regulations statutory requirements. |
Safety issues may relate to: | drilling metal and printed circuit boards etching printed circuit board folding metal soldering tapping threading using metalwork guillotine, notcher or bender. |
Radio communications device may include: | amateur band transceiver amateur band transverter low noise converter radio receiver: AM broadcast receiver FM stereo broadcast receiver global positioning system (GPS) receiver single side band (SSB) receiver very high frequency (VHF) weather satellite receiver radio transmitter: amateur band transmitter low power FM stereo transmitter. |
Project specifications may include: | modulation type: amplitude modulation: amplitude shift keying (ASK) double side band full carrier (DSBFC) double side band suppressed carrier (DSBSC) single side band suppressed carrier (SSBSC) frequency modulation: analog frequency shift keying (FSK) phase modulation: analog binary phase shift keying (BPSK) spread spectrum: direct sequence frequency hopping operating frequency band: high frequency (HF) low frequency (LF) medium frequency (MF) ultra-high frequency (UHF) very high frequency (VHF) very low frequency (VLF) schematic diagram of radio device supply voltage type of radio communications device: radio transmitter: RF output power radio receiver: sensitivity transceiver. |
Component list may include: | component description: inductor winding details power or voltage rating style manufacturer supplier details. |
Block diagram may include: | functional blocks: amplifiers: audio frequency (AF) intermediate frequency (IF) RF bandpass IF filter demodulator direct digital synthesizer (DDS) low pass filter (LPF) microcontroller mixer modulator oscillator power supply. |
Method of construction may include: | dead bug kitset perforated matrix board physical layout drawing of the device printed circuit board rats nest point-to-point wiring veroboard. |
Enclosure details may include: | die cast box folded sheet metal plastic box. |
Test points may include: | ground 0 volts mixer output oscillator output positive supply line. |
Tools may include: | desoldering braid drill bits hand reamer lead free solder long nosed pliers nibbling tool power drill safety glasses screwdrivers solder sucker soldering fume extractor soldering iron and stand spring loaded side cutters. |
Test equipment may include: | AC voltmeter frequency counter modulation meter multimeter noise and distortion meter oscilloscope RF power meter RF probe RF signal generator spectrum analyser. |
Performance may include: | receiver: image frequency response quieting sensitivity signal to noise ratio SINAD transmitter: carrier frequency harmonic levels modulation depth modulation quality RF output power spurious oscillations. |
Sectors
Unit sector | Telecommunications |
Competency Field
Radio frequency networks |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor