Career Details :: Broadcast Technicians
Description
Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to transmit radio and television programs. Control audio equipment to regulate volume level and quality of sound during radio and television broadcasts. Operate radio transmitter to broadcast radio and television programs.
Experience
A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks
- Lays electrical cord and audio and video cables between vehicle, microphone, camera, and reporter or person to be interviewed.
- Aligns antennae with receiving dish to obtain clearest signal for transmission of news event to station.
- Monitors transmission of news event to station and adjusts equipment as needed to maintain quality broadcast.
- Performs preventive and minor equipment maintenance, using hand tools.
- Selects source, such as satellite or studio, from which program will be recorded.
- Observes monitors and converses with station personnel to set audio and video levels and to verify station is on-air.
- Drives news van to location of news events.
- Produces educational and training films and videotapes, including selection of equipment and preparation of script.
- Instructs trainees how to use television production equipment, to film events, and to copy/edit graphics or sound onto videotape.
- Edits manuals, schedules programs, and prepares reports outlining past and future programs, including content.
- Maintains log, as required by station management and Federal Communications Commission.
- Reads television programming log to ascertain program to be recorded or aired.
- Previews scheduled program to ensure that signal is functioning and program is ready for transmission.
- Sets up, operates, and maintains radio and television production equipment to broadcast programs or events.
Related Careers
- Communication Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- Computer Support Specialists
- Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers
- Film and Video Editors
- Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
- Radio Operators
- Sound Engineering Technicians
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, Material
- Communicating With Other Workers
- Documenting/Recording Information
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Job-Required Social Interaction
- Consequence of Error
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Degree of Automation
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Audio/Radio |  [ add ] |
| Audio/Video/Film | [ add ] |
| Broadcast Communication Technology | [ add ] |
| Electroacoustic Media | [ add ] |
| Electronic Arts | [ add ] |
| Electronic Media/Arts/Communication | [ add ] |
| Imaging Science | [ add ] |
| Imaging Systems Management | [ add ] |
| Imaging/Photographic Technology | [ add ] |
| Media Production | [ add ] |
| Media Technology | [ add ] |
| Music Engineering Technology | [ add ] |
| Music Production/Engineering | [ add ] |
| Music Recording | [ add ] |
| Music/Sound Production | [ add ] |
| Music/Sound Recording | [ add ] |
| Radio/Sound | [ add ] |
| Sound Recording Technology | [ add ] |
| Television/Video | [ add ] |
| Television/Video Production | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.