Elements and Performance Criteria

Range of variables
The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present
Radio equipment:
radiotelephony equipment:
medium frequency/high frequency equipment (MF/HF)
very high frequency equipment (VHF)

digital selective calling (DSC) equipment
emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
single battery
two batteries connected in series, parallel or in combination of the two
aerials
electrical and radio cable connections
electrical fuses and their current carrying capacity.
Limitations:
changes in transmission ability with time of day
line of sight
transmission power and geographic range
COSPAS-SARSAT availability.
Procedures:
as contained in the current 'Marine Radio Operators Handbook for Small Craft':
fault finding
power supply
transceiver
antenna

DSC formats
general voice procedures and phonetic alphabet
safety, urgency, alarm and distress formats
silence periods
appropriate frequencies.
Types of signal:
via COSPAS-SARSAT
straight line
via atmospheric layers
relayed between various organisations
general
public correspondence:
stations accepting radiotelegrams and radiotelephone calls
ship to shore radiotelephone calls
on demand service
auto seaphone service
auto seaphone 999 service

safety
urgency
alarm and distress.
Regulations:
arising from Federal communications legislation:
Australian Communications Authority Act 1997
Radiocommunications Act 1992
Telecommunications Act 1997
Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1997.
Organisations:
search and rescue coordination centre location and operator
state police forces
coast stations
limited coast stations
fishing organisations and cooperatives
private shore stations
volunteer coast guard stations.
Services:
medical advice
AUSREP
search and rescue
public correspondence.
Emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs):
of the type:
406MHz
121.5/243 MHz.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose
Underpinning knowledge
The underpinning knowledge identified for this unit is comprehensive due to its likely inclusion in a group of units that may be used as the basis for the issue of licences by regulatory bodies.
The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
principles of signal transmission in order to avoid equipment limitations
methods of communicating vessel position
purpose for and monitoring of calling and working frequencies
purpose of silence periods
limitations on different types of radio equipment
a basic understanding of the Australian marine search and rescue system
hazards associated with radio transmission and the repair and maintenance of equipment.
Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standards include:
calling, replying and relaying procedures
transmitting and decoding of the phonetic alphabet, excluding the figure code
identifying different types of radio equipment
measuring capacity of batteries and the specific gravity of the electrolyte
measuring on and off load voltage.
Literacy skills used for:
reading radio frequencies
reading fuse capacity.
Numeracy skills used for:
adjusting settings.
Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
operate and maintain the full range of radio equipment found aboard small vessels to send and receive routine and emergency signals
select frequencies appropriate for different types of signal transmission and reception
use transceiver controls
use message formats appropriate to general, safety, urgency, alarm and distress signals
operate MF/HF and VHF radio equipment to transmit and receive signals
test equipment and identify and rectify common faults occurring to radio equipment
perform routine maintenance on radio equipment
deploy EPIRBs correctly
take appropriate action on receipt of various signals
access all services available from the various organisations listed
transmit and decode messages with the phonetic alphabet, excluding the figure code.
Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
services available from organisations and the methods of accessing emergency and communications services
authority to transmit and the circumstances of use of alarm and distress signals
regulatory requirements covering:
ship station licence
authority of skipper
secrecy of communications
false or deceptive distress or urgency signals
unnecessary transmissions
keeping a log
avoiding interference
ship station identification
information to be made available to coast stations
documentation to be kept on board
language to be used during transmission.
Interdependent assessment of units
This unit may be assessed after/with:
no recommendations.
Context of assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
written or oral short answer testing
practical exercises
project work
observation of practical demonstration.
Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
fully operational radiotelephony equipment
digital selective calling equipment
equipment for assessing voice procedures
equipment for assessing ability to identify and rectify faults with radio equipment and power supply
EPIRBs
radio communication simulation.
Key competencies
This refers to the seven areas of generic competency that underpin effective workplace practices. The key competencies cover the three levels of performance in the following areas:
Communicating ideas and information
Collecting, analysing and organising information
Planning and organising activities
Working with others and in teams
Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Solving problems
Using technology
Level 2
2
1
1
2
2
2