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Infocomm TechnologyISCO 3521

Broadcast technician

A broadcast technician is a person who installs, commissions, maintains, monitors and repairs the equipment used to transmit and receive television and radio signals.

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Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

maintain electrical equipment

monitor quality of broadcasts

manage sound quality

select recording source

maintain audiovisual equipment

About broadcast technician

The technician makes sure all material is available in the right format and at a quality fit for transmission, by the time the transmission is scheduled, which includes converting and checking the material. The technician also installs and commissions transmission and reception equipment and monitors it while programmes are on air.

To find faults, the technician operates electronic measuring tools and calibrates electronic instruments, reading values such as signal level, timing and signal-to-noise ratio. Calibration keeps the instruments' readings reliable from one measurement to the next.

The technician manages audio quality and operates audio equipment. Maintenance covers both electronic and electrical equipment, from transmitters and processing equipment to power and cooling. Faulty equipment is repaired and working equipment is maintained regularly. Knowledge of multimedia systems, which combine sound, images and data, is also needed. The role builds on knowledge of electronics and electrical engineering; formal requirements are set by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (19)

broadcast equipmentbroadcast equipmentThe use and operation of broadcast equipment such as broadcast consoles, routers, microphones, dual compressors, and other machinery.electronics principleselectronics principlesThe study of electric energy, more specifically electron, control and its prominent principles regarding integrated circuits and electrical systems.media formatsmedia formatsThe various formats in which media can be made available to the audience, such as paper books, e-books, tapes, and analogue signal.multimedia systemsmultimedia systemsThe methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.audiovisual productsaudiovisual productsThe different types of audiovisual products and their requirements, such as documentaries, low budget movies, television series, records, CDs, and others.maintain electrical equipmentmaintain electrical equipmentTest electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as r...monitor quality of broadcastsmonitor quality of broadcastsMonitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals to adjust equipment as necessary to maintain the quality of the broadcast.manage sound qualitymanage sound qualityPerform sound checks. Set up audio equipment for optimal sound output before as well as during performance. Regulate the volume during broadcasts by controlling the audio equipment.select recording sourceselect recording sourceSelect the source from which programs will be recorded such as satellite or studio.maintain audiovisual equipmentmaintain audiovisual equipmentPerform routine maintenance tasks on audiovisual equipment as well as minor repairs, such as replacing parts and calibrating the instruments, on equipment used in processing sound and images.calibrate electronic instrumentscalibrate electronic instrumentsCorrect and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular i...meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.coordinate activities in audio recording studiocoordinate activities in audio recording studioMonitor the daily operations in a audio recording studio. Make sure that persons involved in recording studio activities can produce the desired quality of sound according to customer specifications. ...operate electronic measuring instrumentsoperate electronic measuring instrumentsTend a wide variety of devices for measuring electronic characteristics of system components, such as optical power meter, fibre power meter, digital power meter and multimeter.operate audio equipmentoperate audio equipmentApply technologies for re-creation or recording of sounds, such as speaking, sound of instruments in electrical or mechanical form.maintain electronic equipmentmaintain electronic equipmentCheck and repair electronic equipment. Develop maintenance tasks on electronic equipment. Detect malfunction, locate faults and take measures to prevent damage.use audio reproduction softwareuse audio reproduction softwareOperate software and equipment that transform and reproduce digital, analogue sounds and sound waves into the desired perceivable audio to be streamed.install low voltage wiringinstall low voltage wiringPlan, deploy, troubleshoot and test low voltage wiring.set up broadcast equipmentset up broadcast equipmentSet up and calibrate broadcast equipment to produce, switch, receive, record, edit, and reproduce television and radio signals.
Optional (20) — show
ICT communications protocolsICT communications protocolsThe system of rules which allow the exchange of information between computers or other devices via computer networks.audio technologyaudio technologyThe various technologies for producing, recording, and reproducing sound.audiovisual equipmentaudiovisual equipmentThe characteristics and usage of different tools that stimulate the sight and audio senses.administer ICT systemadminister ICT systemHandle components of ICT system by maintaining configuration, managing users, monitoring resource use, performing backups and installing hardware or software to comply with the set requirements.set up sound equipmentset up sound equipmentSet up equipment to record sound. Test acoustics and make adjustments.set up portable field transmission equipmentset up portable field transmission equipmentSet up and operate portable transmission equipment when broadcasting takes place outside of the studio.adjust video transmissionsadjust video transmissionsAdjust the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions by using video console control panels.maintain broadcast equipmentmaintain broadcast equipmentMaintain, check, and repair broadcast equipment to ensure continuity of operations.broadcast using Internet Protocolbroadcast using Internet ProtocolManage broadcasting over the internet by properly using the Internet Protocol in order to ensure the broadcast is accessible to users.operate remote broadcast equipmentoperate remote broadcast equipmentHandle equipment that is used for broadcasting from locations which are far from central station. The pickup unit (RPU) is the most common tool for this communication.develop programming scheduledevelop programming scheduleDevelop a schedule for the broadcast of television and radio programs. Decide how much airtime a program gets.operate broadcast equipmentoperate broadcast equipmentOperate broadcast equipment to produce, switch, receive, record, edit, and reproduce television and radio signals.assist multimedia operatorassist multimedia operatorTake over tasks from the multimedia operator as required. Call cues for the multimedia operator or operate the multimedia equipment yourself.assemble video tape footageassemble video tape footageAssemble all raw video footage, with camera shots either recorded or transferred onto video tape in preparation for inputting into the computer.maintain internet protocol configurationmaintain internet protocol configurationApply Internet Protocol Configuration (ipconfig) to gather data on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) configuration values in order to identify devices and their IP addresses.edit recorded soundedit recorded soundEdit audio footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects, and removing unwanted noises.operate audio-signal processorsoperate audio-signal processorsOperate audio-signal processors to alter auditory signals.align antennae with receiving dishesalign antennae with receiving dishesAlign antennae with receiving dishes to obtain the clearest signal for transmission of broadcasts from field locations.provide multimedia contentprovide multimedia contentDevelop multimedia materials such as screen shots, graphics, slide shows, animations and videos to be used as content integrated in a broader informational context.execute integration testingexecute integration testingPerform testing of system or software components grouped in multiple ways to evaluate their ability to interconnect, their interface and their ability to provide global functionality.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a broadcast technician do?

Broadcast technicians install, start up, maintain, monitor and repair equipment used for the transmission and reception of television and radio broadcast signals. They ensure that all materials are available in a suitable format of transmittable quality according to the transmission deadline. Broadcast technicians also maintain and repair this equipment.

What skills does a broadcast technician need?

A broadcast technician needs 19 essential skills, including broadcast equipment, electronics principles, media formats, multimedia systems, audiovisual products.

Will AI replace broadcast technician jobs?

The AI disruption score for broadcast technician is 47/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: assemble video tape footage, ICT communications protocols, maintain internet protocol configuration. Most resilient: maintain electrical equipment, maintain audiovisual equipment, calibrate electronic instruments.

Quick Facts

SectorInfocomm Technology
ISCO GroupInformation and communications technicians
Essential Skills19

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