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Career Details : Broadcast Technicians

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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

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    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 MyFSA
    Audio/Radioadd Audio/Radio to MyFSA
    Audio/Video/Filmadd Audio/Video/Film to MyFSA
    Broadcast Communication Technologyadd Broadcast Communication Technology to MyFSA
    Electroacoustic Mediaadd Electroacoustic Media to MyFSA
    Electronic Artsadd Electronic Arts to MyFSA
    Electronic Media/Arts/Communicationadd Electronic Media/Arts/Communication to MyFSA
    Imaging Scienceadd Imaging Science to MyFSA
    Imaging Systems Managementadd Imaging Systems Management to MyFSA
    Imaging/Photographic Technologyadd Imaging/Photographic Technology to MyFSA
    Media Productionadd Media Production to MyFSA
    Media Technologyadd Media Technology to MyFSA
    Music Engineering Technologyadd Music Engineering Technology to MyFSA
    Music Production/Engineeringadd Music Production/Engineering to MyFSA
    Music Recordingadd Music Recording to MyFSA
    Music/Sound Productionadd Music/Sound Production to MyFSA
    Music/Sound Recordingadd Music/Sound Recording to MyFSA
    Radio/Soundadd Radio/Sound to MyFSA
    Sound Recording Technologyadd Sound Recording Technology to MyFSA
    Television/Videoadd Television/Video to MyFSA
    Television/Video Productionadd Television/Video Production to MyFSA
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