Description
Install, align, test, troubleshoot, and repair microwave radio systems, including antennas, waveguides, RF amplifiers, and related control/network equipment for commercial and industrial sites.
- • Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on microwave radios, antennas, waveguides, dehydrators, and RF chains to prevent failures.
- • Review work orders and confer with NOC staff or operators to identify link issues and contributing factors.
- • Set up, align, and test microwave links and subsystems to verify proper operation and throughput.
- • Operate radios and test sets to demonstrate functions and analyze malfunctions.
- • Diagnose RF faults using spectrum/network analyzers, power meters, BER testers, and vendor software.
- • Repair or align transmitters, LNAs/HPAs, ODUs/IDUs, and replace defective RF components, gaskets, desiccant, or connectors.
- • Calibrate test instruments and verify microwave equipment to specified power, gain, and VSWR, ensuring regulatory compliance.
- • Advise management on link performance, chronic issues, and improvement opportunities.
- • Inspect antennas, feedlines, waveguide flanges, and grounding for damage, looseness, moisture, or frayed cables.
- • Study RF path plans, schematics, manuals, and frequency plans to determine installation and alignment procedures.
- • Maintain logs of outages, alignments, repairs, calibrations, firmware, and test results.
- • Coordinate with tower climbers, riggers, electricians, and network engineers during installations and maintenance.
- • Maintain inventory of RF spares, waveguide hardware, dehydrator supplies, and alignment tools.
- • Work with customers and engineers to plan link layouts, antenna placements, and resolve interference or path issues.
- • Dispatch faulty ODUs/IDUs, TWTAs/SSPAs, or modules to OEM or depot for repair.
- • Install and commission microwave equipment at towers, rooftops, shelters, and industrial sites.
- • Assess suitability of COTS microwave gear and develop specs for filters, combiners, or custom RF components as needed.
- • Program radios, update configurations, and create or revise RF diagrams and path profiles using appropriate software.
- • Complete and sign service, alignment, and overhaul documentation.
- • Tune and modify microwave filters, duplexers, and cavities per specifications and regulatory limits.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
