Radio Communications 101

This course introduces the student to radio communications and associated technologies. Modules include an overview of radio service as a transmission media, how transmitters and receivers work, an overview of wave propagation and radio antenna systems. The information is introductory in nature and designed for all audiences. Students will acquire a basic understanding of radio communications theory.

12.5 hours – 10.00am-12.30pm (AEDT)
Dates TBC

Chris Stevens

Managing Director, CartGiS Pty Ltd

Chris Stevens is Managing Director of CartGiS Pty Ltd, an emergency management, GIS and Mapping and communications consultancy company based in Melbourne. Chris has extensive experience in LMR network design, planning and implementation as well as GIS and mapping application design and commissioning. Chris is an industry leader in systems integration, thinking outside the box and providing client centric outcomes aimed at information sharing and interoperability. CartGIS Pty Ltd also specialises in bespoke training and education for the critical communication community. Chris has extensive qualifications and experience in secondary, tertiary and workplace training and education, which coupled with his communication experience, delivers industry and client focused outcomes. Chris has been the National Lifesaving Communications Advisor to Surf Life Saving Australia since 2011. This role is in an elected volunteered capacity and he chairs the respective national communications working group. As National Lifesaving Communications Advisor, Chris is responsible for advising the states and territories on their operational communications networks as well as formulating national interoperability and business continuity strategies. Chris is also a member of the ARCIA committee, where he convenes the training committees and has been responsible for recent industry advancements in training and education.

February 2022

10:00am-12.30pm

Course Outline

Course Outline

Introduction to Radio Communications
· What is radio communications?
· What are the use cases?

Radio Frequency
·         RF fundamental operating principles and terminology
·         Rules and regulations
·         Licensing and ACMA
·         What is propagation?
·         Frequency spectrum band allocations
·         RF modulation and demodulation
·         Coverage modelling and planning

Radio Types and Systems
·         Radio technology
·         Analog systems and standards
·         Digital systems and standards
o   NXDN
o   dPMR
o   DMR (Tier 2 & 3)
o   Tetra
o   P-25 (Phase 1 & 2)
· Radio components types
o   Transmitters
o   Receivers
o   Amplifiers
·         Radio (terminal) types
·         Radio systems types

Radio Antenna Systems
·         How antennas work
·         Antenna types
·         Antenna gain & bandwidth
·         Antenna polarisation
·         Antenna resonance
·         Transmission lines
·         Common antenna configuration
·         Grounding overview
·         Antenna testing

Transmission Lines and Feeders
·         What are transmission lines and feeders?
·         Transmission line power
·         Transmission line frequency and impedance
·         Connectors
·         Earthing and lightning protection

Filters and Multi-coupling
·         What is multi-coupling?
·         Types of multi-coupling
·         Choosing the correct type

Tower and Site
·         What is a radio communications site?
·         Describe co-location
·         Applications and licensing
·         Fire suppression systems
·         Site HVAC systems
·         Vermin and pests
·         Engineering
·         Site safety
·         Electromagnetic radiation (EME)

Power Systems
·         What are power systems?
·         Voltage
·         Polarity
·         Fuses and circuit breakers
·         Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems
·         DC power systems
·         AC power
·         Renewable energy power systems

Earthing
·         What is earthing?
·         Earthing considerations
·         Site earthing
·         Antenna earthing
·         Equipment earthing
·         Standards and principles

Interference
·         What is RF interference?
·         Types of interference
·         Interference mitigation strategies

Data Networks and Linking
·         What are data networks?
·         Serial data and types
·         Internet Protocol (IP) and basics
·         IP layers and networks
·         IP network types
·         Telephone and telephone circuits
o   2-wire
o   4-wire
·         Site links types
o   Point-to-point
o   Point-to-multi-point
o   Mesh
o   Hun and spoke
·         Radio over IP (RoIP)

Fibre-optic Systems
· Basic fibre-optic cable fundamentals and terminology

Satellite Communications
·         Define “Low Earth Orbit” (LEO) satellites
·         Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN)
·         Global Positioning System (GPS)

Radio Communications Testing and Equipment Maintenance
·         What radio communications testing is required?
·         Acceptance testing
o   Factory acceptance testing
o   Site acceptance testing
o   Network acceptance testing
o   Coverage acceptance testing|
·         Preventive maintenance
·         Test equipment
·         Equipment testing best practices
·         Lock Out/Tag Out procedures

Standards and Quality Control
·         Australian Standards
·         Qualifications and Education
·         Design and engineering
·         Vendor selection

Expression of interest

$1450 +GST

"Just wanting to pass on how happy I am with the workshop. My background is in IT but I’ve been leading a team of radio/satcomms techs for a couple of years. I’ve picked up a little knowledge on the job but it’s so helpful to start gaining an understanding of the underlying concepts and fundamentals. The structure, content and delivery are great. Many thanks to all involved!"

“Overall very happy, I learnt some things I didn't know and it gave me a better overall understanding and knowledge of Radio Communications."

“Nice refresher course and some additional knowledge that I didn't know before.”

“Overall, good course content for an introduction to radio communications. Covers a lot of components at a high level and their relationships to each other. Very fast paced so you need to be very switched on.”

“Very positive, have a better understanding of some of the terminology and how the different systems work.”

“So grateful that you ran this course, I have been looking for something like this since I started in a comms team lead role 2.5 years ago. There is no introductory comms training out there. It has already improved my understanding of my role and given me an even greater appreciation of my team of techs.”

“Good course, well-paced and well delivered.”

“Well presented, great knowledge from facilitator.”