Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:24 AM AWST
22/07/2026 11:24 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Select an antenna system for radio communications
Select an antenna system for radio communications
Unit of competency
National Code
ICTRFN4158A
ICTRFN4158A
State Code
D3404
D3404
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/04/2014
Field of Education
031307 - Communications Technologies
Original Release Date
15/04/2014
Nominal Hours
25
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required for the selection of an antenna system for radio communications to meet given performance requirements.This unit does not cover the estimation or analysis of radio signals within the desired area of coverage or over a specific radio path. This is covered in ICTRFN5179A Evaluate and analyse radio frequency (RF) signal coverage plots.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to select antenna system
- 1.1. Establish extent of project from design brief or specification within a team environment
- 1.2. Obtain and review plans and drawings of existing or proposed installation site
- 1.3. Determine whether antenna system hardware requires a secure hut or shelter
- 1.4. Determine antenna requirements and antenna feedline requirements from design brief or specifications and research available commercial products
- 1.5. Determine earthing components to meet regulatory and earthing requirements of antenna system
- 1.6. Prepare the antenna feedline route to comply with job specifications and regulatory requirements
- 1.7. Identify installation options and assess against performance requirements and customer requirements
2. Select antenna system
- 2.1. Evaluate potential antenna system solutions which satisfy required performance, budgetary and regulatory requirements, and are suitable for installation in the specified environment
- 2.2. Make recommendations and select optimum antenna system
3. Document antenna system selection
- 3.1. Document calculations, final specifications and reasons for selection of antenna system
- 3.2. Prepare a final report, including documentation and drawings of selected antenna system and distribute to appropriate persons in accordance with enterprise policies and procedures
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Antenna system may include:
antenna array
directional coupler
duplexer
earthing components
ferrite isolator
filter:
cavity
bandpass
band reject
low pass
stub
lightning protection
multiple feedlines
phasing harness
single antenna
single feedline.
Antenna requirements may include:
antenna height above ground
bandwidth:
specified in MHz
specified as % of centre frequency
beamwidth specifications in the:
E plane
H plane
front to back ratio:
gain:
dBi
dBd
minor lobes
mounting method
polarisation:
circular
horizontal
vertical
radiation pattern coverage:
bi-directional
irregular pattern
omnidirectional
unidirectional
radiation pattern specifications in the:
E plane
H plane
radome
shroud.
Feedline requirements may include:
allowable loss in dB
characteristic impedance
mechanical characteristics
method of securing
RF connector type
weatherproofing.
Appropriate persons may include:
customer
engineer
project manager
supervisor.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Antenna system may include:
antenna array
directional coupler
duplexer
earthing components
ferrite isolator
filter:
cavity
bandpass
band reject
low pass
stub
lightning protection
multiple feedlines
phasing harness
single antenna
single feedline.
Antenna requirements may include:
antenna height above ground
bandwidth:
specified in MHz
specified as % of centre frequency
beamwidth specifications in the:
E plane
H plane
front to back ratio:
gain:
dBi
dBd
minor lobes
mounting method
polarisation:
circular
horizontal
vertical
radiation pattern coverage:
bi-directional
irregular pattern
omnidirectional
unidirectional
radiation pattern specifications in the:
E plane
H plane
radome
shroud.
Feedline requirements may include:
allowable loss in dB
characteristic impedance
mechanical characteristics
method of securing
RF connector type
weatherproofing.
Appropriate persons may include:
customer
engineer
project manager
supervisor.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
select an antenna system
justify and document antenna system selection.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
antenna resources such as manufacturers' data sheets, specifications and catalogues
transmission line resources such as manufacturers' data sheets, specifications and catalogues.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate evaluating and selecting suitable antenna systems
review of reports completed by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the selection of a radio communications antenna.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTRFN4095A Conduct radio frequency measurements
ICTRFN5179A Evaluate and analyse radio frequency signal coverage plots.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
select an antenna system
justify and document antenna system selection.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
antenna resources such as manufacturers' data sheets, specifications and catalogues
transmission line resources such as manufacturers' data sheets, specifications and catalogues.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate evaluating and selecting suitable antenna systems
review of reports completed by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the selection of a radio communications antenna.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTRFN4095A Conduct radio frequency measurements
ICTRFN5179A Evaluate and analyse radio frequency signal coverage plots.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWD93 | ICTRFN402 | Select antenna system for radio communications | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W809 | ICT40410 | Certificate IV in Radio Frequency Networks | Qualification |
| J821 | ICT40713 | Certificate IV in Telecommunications Network Design | Qualification |