Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 6:45 AM AWST
23/07/2026 6:45 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.
Install a satellite antenna
Install a satellite antenna
Unit of competency
National Code
ICTRFN2163A
ICTRFN2163A
State Code
D3396
D3396
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
25/11/2013
Field of Education
031309 - Communications Equipment Installation And Maintenance
Original Release Date
25/11/2013
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to install and test satellite antenna equipment on dwellings, buildings, masts and other structures, or at ground level to receive signals from geostationary communications satellites.Depending on the particular installation, organisational requirements and state or territory legislation, specific licences may be required in areas such as:working on roofsworking at heightsstructure climbingtower rescuehoisting and mounting antennasinstalling feedlineselectromagnetic energy (EME) awareness.Users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for work on a satellite antenna
- 1.1. Prepare for installation applying all relevantlegislation, codes, regulations and standards and identify any safety issues
- 1.2. Organise resources to be available on site
- 1.3. Notify customer to arrange access to the site and possible outage
- 1.4. Organise tools and equipment and ensure they are in safe working order and adjusted to manufacturer's specifications
- 1.5. Obtain details of satellite to be acquired and precise details of satellite antennalocation
- 1.6. Determine the look angles for the satellite receiving antenna
- 1.7. Determine polarisation angle of the satellite receiving antenna feedhorn
- 1.8. Determine suitable position to mount the antenna with agreement from customer
2. Assemble and mount satellite antenna and cables
- 2.1. Assemble satellite antenna on site according to plans, specifications and enterprise guidelines using safe industry practices
- 2.2. Connect coaxial cable to antenna and install lightning protection devices
- 2.3. Mount satellite antenna onto installed mounting arrangements and set initial antenna azimuth, elevationand polarisation
3. Test and align antenna system
- 3.1. Connect installed antenna system to satellite receiver or test equipment and make final adjustments to azimuth, elevation and polarisation to optimise the signal level and quality
- 3.2. Conduct performance tests according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise guidelines
- 3.3. Interpret test results and compare with manufacturer's design specifications and make adjustments
4. Complete administrative duties
- 4.1. Record test results and complete appropriate records
- 4.2. Secure and clean up site to original condition in an environmentally safe manner
- 4.3. Notify customer of work completion and obtain sign off
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.
Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:
Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standards
AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1
Australian building codes and regulations
AS/NZS 1367:2007
AS/NZS 1768:2007
AS 1417.1:1987
enterprise standards
environmental protection
fire regulations
heritage legislation
industrial relations agreements including awards and enterprise agreements
international standards
local government
manufacturer's enterprise operating policy and procedures
national code
OHS Act
other services and utilities codes of practice and standards:
electricity
gas
water
power company requirements
Privacy Act
Spectrum Management Authority
statutory requirements
Trade Practices Act
traditional land owners.
Safety issues may refer to:
devices to support construction personnel at heights:
elevated personnel vehicles
non-metallic ladders
platforms
external factors affecting works:
concentration of other services
terrain
weather conditions
precautions for unsafe weather conditions to undertake works:
heavy rains
high winds
severe cold
severe heat
thunderstorms
preparing for work at a telecommunications site with potential EMR hazards
safety issues in:
fall arrest
fall guarding
roof work.
Tools and equipment may include:
fall arrest systems required on structure where no ladder cages installed
general equipment:
elevated platform
hand and power tools
ladder
winch
magnetic compass
personal protective equipment:
earmuffs
eye protection
dust protection
gloves
hard hats
personal reflecting jackets
safety boots
safety equipment:
aerial safety belts and lines
helmets
safety cages
traffic signs
warning signs and tapes
witches hats.
Details of satellite may include:
horizontally polarised transponders:
forward correction error (FEC)
frequency
symbol rate
satellite longitude
satellite name
vertically polarised transponders:
FEC
frequency
symbol rate.
Satellite antenna location may include:
latitude
longitude.
Look angles may refer to:
azimuth angle relative to north
elevation angle relative to horizontal.
Suitable position may include:
consideration of future building additions
consideration of growth of trees
ground level
outside wall of building
rooftop
unobstructed view in direction of satellite.
Coaxial cable may include:
coaxial cable with flooded polyethylene (PE) jacket for underground applications
RG11 quad shielded
RG6 quad shielded.
Initial antenna azimuth, elevation and polarisation may be set according to:
calibrated markings on antenna mount
inclinometer
magnetic compass
plumb bob.
Test equipment may include:
field strength meter
multimeter
satellite meter
signal level meter
spectrum analyser.
Optimise the signal may refer to:
achieving uniform performance across multiple transponders
BER pre FEC
carrier to noise ratio (C/N)
MER
signal strength in dBuV.
Performance tests may include:
signal quality across all satellite digital channels
signal strength of satellite digital television channels.
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.
Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:
Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standards
AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1
Australian building codes and regulations
AS/NZS 1367:2007
AS/NZS 1768:2007
AS 1417.1:1987
enterprise standards
environmental protection
fire regulations
heritage legislation
industrial relations agreements including awards and enterprise agreements
international standards
local government
manufacturer's enterprise operating policy and procedures
national code
OHS Act
other services and utilities codes of practice and standards:
electricity
gas
water
power company requirements
Privacy Act
Spectrum Management Authority
statutory requirements
Trade Practices Act
traditional land owners.
Safety issues may refer to:
devices to support construction personnel at heights:
elevated personnel vehicles
non-metallic ladders
platforms
external factors affecting works:
concentration of other services
terrain
weather conditions
precautions for unsafe weather conditions to undertake works:
heavy rains
high winds
severe cold
severe heat
thunderstorms
preparing for work at a telecommunications site with potential EMR hazards
safety issues in:
fall arrest
fall guarding
roof work.
Tools and equipment may include:
fall arrest systems required on structure where no ladder cages installed
general equipment:
elevated platform
hand and power tools
ladder
winch
magnetic compass
personal protective equipment:
earmuffs
eye protection
dust protection
gloves
hard hats
personal reflecting jackets
safety boots
safety equipment:
aerial safety belts and lines
helmets
safety cages
traffic signs
warning signs and tapes
witches hats.
Details of satellite may include:
horizontally polarised transponders:
forward correction error (FEC)
frequency
symbol rate
satellite longitude
satellite name
vertically polarised transponders:
FEC
frequency
symbol rate.
Satellite antenna location may include:
latitude
longitude.
Look angles may refer to:
azimuth angle relative to north
elevation angle relative to horizontal.
Suitable position may include:
consideration of future building additions
consideration of growth of trees
ground level
outside wall of building
rooftop
unobstructed view in direction of satellite.
Coaxial cable may include:
coaxial cable with flooded polyethylene (PE) jacket for underground applications
RG11 quad shielded
RG6 quad shielded.
Initial antenna azimuth, elevation and polarisation may be set according to:
calibrated markings on antenna mount
inclinometer
magnetic compass
plumb bob.
Test equipment may include:
field strength meter
multimeter
satellite meter
signal level meter
spectrum analyser.
Optimise the signal may refer to:
achieving uniform performance across multiple transponders
BER pre FEC
carrier to noise ratio (C/N)
MER
signal strength in dBuV.
Performance tests may include:
signal quality across all satellite digital channels
signal strength of satellite digital television channels.
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:
assemble, install, align and test a satellite antenna according to plans and specifications, and site specific safety requirements
conduct performance tests according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise guidelines.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
suitable site for satellite antenna installation
range of antennas and cables currently used in industry
range of general and test equipment required for satellite antenna installation and testing.
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 installing a satellite receiving antenna given the satellite details and the satellite antenna coordinates
direct observation of the candidate preparing, securing and connecting a cable to the satellite antenna
direct observation of appropriate signal performance measurement and adjustment of azimuth, elevation and polarisation alignment
oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge .
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTRFN2164A Install a terrestrial antenna
ICTDRE3156A Install digital reception equipment.
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:
assemble, install, align and test a satellite antenna according to plans and specifications, and site specific safety requirements
conduct performance tests according to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise guidelines.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
suitable site for satellite antenna installation
range of antennas and cables currently used in industry
range of general and test equipment required for satellite antenna installation and testing.
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 installing a satellite receiving antenna given the satellite details and the satellite antenna coordinates
direct observation of the candidate preparing, securing and connecting a cable to the satellite antenna
direct observation of appropriate signal performance measurement and adjustment of azimuth, elevation and polarisation alignment
oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge .
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTRFN2164A Install a terrestrial antenna
ICTDRE3156A Install digital reception equipment.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WI903 | ICTRFN2163B | Install a satellite antenna | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W803 | ICT30410 | Certificate III in Telecommunications Digital Reception Technology | Qualification |
| W795 | ICT20110 | Certificate II in Telecommunications Technology | Qualification |