Tower Equipment Jobs: Radio, Cellular Repairers

Also called: Avionics Repair Technician, Avionics Technician, Broadcasting Equipment Mechanic, Cell Tower Climber, Cellular Equipment Installer

Tower Equipment Jobs: Radio, Cellular Repairers

Varies

estimated salary

Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers repair, install or maintain mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment, and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. May test and analyze network coverage.

  • Read work orders, blueprints, plans, datasheets or site drawings to determine work to be done.
  • Inspect completed work to ensure all hardware is tight, antennas are level, hangers are properly fastened, proper support is in place, or adequate weather proofing has been installed.
  • Bolt equipment into place, using hand or power tools.
  • Test operation of tower transmission components, using sweep testing tools or software.
  • Run appropriate power, ground, or coaxial cables.
  • Check antenna positioning to ensure specified azimuths or mechanical tilts and adjust as necessary.
  • Replace existing antennas with new antennas as directed.
  • Install all necessary transmission equipment components, including antennas or antenna mounts, surge arrestors, transmission lines, connectors, or tower-mounted amplifiers (TMAs).
  • Take site survey photos or photos of work performed, using digital cameras.
  • Complete reports related to project status, progress, or other work details, using computer software.
  • Climb communication towers to install, replace, or repair antennas or auxiliary equipment used to transmit and receive radio waves.
  • Perform maintenance or repair work on existing tower equipment, using hand or power tools.
  • Lift equipment into position, using cranes and rigging tools or equipment, such as gin poles.
  • Climb towers to access components, using safety equipment, such as full-body harnesses.
  • Install, connect, or test underground or aboveground grounding systems.
  • Transport equipment to work sites, using utility trucks and equipment trailers.
  • Locate tower sites where work is to be performed, using mapping software.
  • Install or repair tower lighting components, including strobes, beacons, or lighting controllers.
  • Calibrate and align components, using scales, gauges, and other measuring instruments.
  • Examine malfunctioning radio equipment to locate defects such as loose connections, broken wires, or burned-out components, using schematic diagrams and test equipment.
  • Insert plugs into receptacles and bolt or screw leads to terminals to connect equipment to power sources, using hand tools.
  • Install, adjust, and repair stationary and mobile radio transmitting and receiving equipment and two-way radio communication systems.
  • Monitor radio range stations to detect transmission flaws and adjust controls to eliminate flaws.
  • Mount equipment on transmission towers and in vehicles such as ships or ambulances.
  • Remove and replace defective components and parts such as conductors, resistors, semiconductors, and integrated circuits, using soldering irons, wire cutters, and hand tools.
  • Repair circuits, wiring, and soldering, using soldering irons and hand tools to install parts and adjust connections.
  • Test batteries, using hydrometers and ammeters, and charge batteries as necessary.
  • Test emergency transmitters to ensure their readiness for immediate use.
  • Test equipment functions such as signal strength and quality, transmission capacity, interference, and signal delay, using equipment such as oscilloscopes, circuit analyzers, frequency meters, and wattmeters.
  • Turn setscrews to adjust receivers for maximum sensitivity and transmitters for maximum output.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Read More
Detailed Work Activities
  • Bolt objects into place.
  • Inspect telecommunications equipment to identify problems.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Climb equipment or structures to access work areas.
  • Inspect completed work to ensure proper functioning.
  • Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
  • Read More

Knowledge

Telecommunications
  • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Read More

Skills

Repairing
  • Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Maintenance
  • Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Troubleshooting
  • Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Read More

Abilities

Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Finger Dexterity
  • The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Read More

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
Read More

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
  • Data entry software Hot Technology
Read More

Education

Get started on your career:

Job Outlook

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
NA
NA
NA

Explore More