Apprenticeship training course

Radio network technician (level 3)

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Information about Radio network technician (level 3)

The broad purpose of the occupation is to ensure that digital data and voice networks operate at an optimal level.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Principles of radio propagation including path profile analysis and the behaviour of radio waves as they travel from one point to another and different frequency bands.
  • Characteristics of digital communication the architecture, component parts including differences to network behaviour.
  • Causes and impact of radio interference and noise in a network.
  • Principles of electrical theory for antenna.
  • Types of cabling and connectivity and their relative merits.
  • Network architectures, the specification of a network's physical components, functional organisation and configuration. Its operational principles, procedures, protocols and management tools.
  • Principles of radio wave propagation in networks. manual and automated methods of frequency planning for digital voice and data networks.
  • Frequency spectrum in networks and their uses.
  • Impact of harmonics in radio frequency and how to reduce this.
  • The relationship between capacity demands and types of radio networks used to support requirements.
  • Differences between wide-band and narrow band networks. The use of simplex and duplex techniques in networks, methods of frequency hopping and their benefits in different networks.
  • Techniques and systems used in testing to identify the location and cause of faults in complex and or non-standard radio telecommunications networks; including observation, simulation, measurement, identification of function loss comparison, and previous fault data.
  • Previous fault data includes frequency of occurrence, manufacturers' documentation including user guides and diagnostic data, maintenance records, trending, built-in diagnostics, comparison with commissioning results.
  • Good voice and data network performance.
  • Fault-finding processes. Performance measurement against targets, including key user requirements.
  • Types of faults. The main factors affecting network performance including typical faults, and approaches to a reduction in network performance.
  • Health and safety requirements.
  • Security principles, policies and procedures including data protection, software, access, encryption and regulation. How to report security breaches using local procedures and rules.
  • Network vulnerabilities and how they are assessed.
  • Security process for accessing field based sites.
  • Ethical use of data and the implications, with respect to the use of data and automation.
  • User requirements and methods to set priorities.
  • Roles within a multidisciplinary team and the interfaces with other areas of an organisation.
  • Information available in data sources, methods to access these and then interpret the information within the data source.
  • The occupation in relation to the wider landscape including current or future requirements.
  • Sustainability and environmental considerations in their area of work.
  • Methods of work planning and prioritisation.
  • Methods to keep up to date with emerging and or evolving technologies, their use and impact on the role.

  Skills

  • Operate the planning process including selection of equipment.
  • Select a location as part the planning process.
  • Install or support installation of equipment.
  • Install, or support the installation, positioning equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, design detail and perform administrative tasks including installation reports and test results.
  • Identify the causes of issues relating to frequency interference and other noise sources.
  • Prioritise, plan and organise work activity using a methodical approach.
  • Select the required frequency for a given radio path through the use of software application, manual calculations or system planning tools.
  • Access and use the test systems.
  • Report faults and use the required escalation process.
  • Collate and input fault data and statements into the fault management system.
  • Rectify faults within own area or escalate as necessary.
  • Utilise software monitoring tools, user information or data gathered from testing to modify a radio network or link to overcome communication issues.
  • Configure and maintain a network supporting the use of a Radio Frequency RF system.
  • Gather network performance information and user insight through feedback or user experience.
  • Identify procedures to enhance and improve system performance.
  • Analyse data, draw conclusions and understand organisation impacts.
  • Apply organisational security polices.
  • Access sites according to required procedure.
  • Create a written work plan and communicate plan to team members.
  • Use customer feedback to process, prioritise and resolve issues.
  • Work in agile, multi-disciplinary delivery teams, taking a flexible, collaborative and pragmatic approach to delivering tasks.
  • Review own development needs. Keep up to date with developments in technologies, trends and innovation using a range of sources.

  Behaviours

  • Adheres to required work practices and conducts all work in a manner which is safe.
  • Aligns work activities and priorities to organisational objectives.
  • Uses initiative to take ownership and responsibility for their work.
  • Demonstrates a pragmatic and logical approach to problem solving.
  • Is a positive role model to others in attitude to work and how it is undertaken.
  • Work collaboratively with stakeholders.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Digital
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 24 months
• Funding: £19,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Communications radio engineer
  • Radio network engineer
  • Radio network technician
  • Radio optimisation engineer
  • Wireless systems engineer

View more information about Radio network technician (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.