Previous in Forum: LG Plasma TV / Sky HD Compatability Problem   Next in Forum: T1 Line Measurements in Cell Base Stations
Close
Close
Close
10 comments
Rate Comments: Nested
Associate

Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 29

Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/22/2010 7:40 PM

I began working in the communications field as a towerhand, antenna, transmission line installer, ect about five years ago. I became very interested in the phenomena of EM wave, electricity, magnetism, and began educating myself on the abstract, and somewhat complicated theories and mathematics involved in these systems. Now, that said, what I am wondering is if anyone knows of certifications, licenses, ect. in these fields,(besides your basic Anritsu and site master certs, and the other gratuitous certs used for insurance purposes), that I could use to push my career further in technical side without going through the conventional corridors of college and or trade school, which just isn't a possiblility at the moment. Something like the wcet, which I am unfortunately do not meet the qualifications for, perhaps licensing or cert that has viable use for advancement, but could be taken with knowledge, practical exp, or even the ability to pass the licensing test. What i am not looking for or the kind of certs the contractors or companies generally are forced to acquire to get in the door with the companies the want to work with, but are really educationally light in information in use. I am sure many of know what I am talking about there.

Thank for any info you are able to provide me with.

Register to Reply
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.
Power-User

Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 132
Good Answers: 7
#1

Re: Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/22/2010 8:46 PM

I don't know if this is offered in the exact way you need, but with my own experience with them, I don't think they can be beat for the depth that you will be required to go and the marks they set for you will exercise your brain well and you will have something to take you anywhere you need to go.

Click HERE.

Good Luck To You.

__________________
jhunter1972
Register to Reply
Associate

Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 29
#2
In reply to #1

Re: Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/22/2010 8:59 PM

Thanks alot jhunter 1972, that looks alot like what I was looking for, I going to go over the website and see if I can make anything good out of it.

Register to Reply
Power-User

Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 132
Good Answers: 7
#3
In reply to #2

Re: Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/22/2010 9:16 PM

I think you will be happy if you can arrange this into your current position.

__________________
jhunter1972
Register to Reply
Anonymous Poster
#4

Re: Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/24/2010 8:44 AM

Go to W5YI.com and look for the GROL+Radar book and Software. Studying for this and passing the exams will qualify you for an FCC license to work on this equipment. It will also help you gain knowlegde in the field.

Register to Reply
Power-User

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 106
Good Answers: 3
#5
In reply to #4

Re: Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/24/2010 9:25 AM

Helps if I login first. Also, I want to add that getting your Extra Class Ham Radio license will help alot with the GROL exams. A lot of questions are the same for both. Of course you would have to go in this order, Technician, General and then Extra. Again, W5YI.com and QRC.Com for books and practice tests.

__________________
rrnut-2
Register to Reply
Power-User

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 106
Good Answers: 3
#6
In reply to #5

Re: Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/24/2010 9:45 AM

QRZ.com

__________________
rrnut-2
Register to Reply
Associate

Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 29
#7
In reply to #6

Re: Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/24/2010 10:02 AM

thanks rrnut-2

this looks quite interesting, if you could please enlighten me on some of the realistic oppurtunities that might be available upon achieving this licensing, the commercial side is what I was looking at, and also are there other pre-education requirements to take the exam, or is the ability to accumulate the knowledge, apply it, and pass the exam sufficient. I am in the process of googling some of these licenses to see what I can find out, but any other info you have available would be appreciated.

thanks

Register to Reply
Power-User

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 106
Good Answers: 3
#8

Re: Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/24/2010 12:22 PM

Check the FCC.gov web site for the number of elements on the tests. Once you pass the tests, this will allow you to work on radio and radar equipment. In many cases, a regular person is not allow to adjust anything unless you are licensed.

Don't pooh pooh the ham license, the tests will help prepare you for the GROL and there is a lot of technical information that you will learn. I actually have wanted my ham license for many years and only now have I "gotten around to it". While studying for the Extra license, the Gordon West book suggested that as an Extra, to continue with the GROL license. So I am starting to work on that.

If you do not have any knowledge of electronics, then I would suggest the ARRL book on Basic Electronics. The Gordon West books on Ham and the GROL are excellent. Gordon West and W5YI are pretty much the same people.

The math that you will need, and the theory that you will need to pass the tests, is covered in the books.

Jim

My email: KB1TOW@arrl.org

__________________
rrnut-2
Register to Reply
Associate

Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 29
#9
In reply to #8

Re: Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/24/2010 12:33 PM

I did find the fcc website, and this was exactly what I was looking for when I psted the question. I worked with antennas and transmission line from small yagis and omnis to fm tv bays, so I already have decent working knowledge, still an infant though, electronically speaking, I really started putting attention to the theory and mathematics a couple of years ago, looking over some of the elements I notice a familiar with alot of the material.

The other question I have is about the viable commercial uses for the licenses. Are there decent/lucrative opp. with these licenses, adding endorsements when able and the ex I have from the type of work I do.

Once again thanks that is exactly what I was looking for, and the pricing for exam is very reasonable as well, which is a+

Register to Reply
Power-User

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 106
Good Answers: 3
#10

Re: Certification and Licensing in Communications and RF

03/24/2010 12:36 PM

I don't know what job opportunities there are, but the license will never hurt. Most generally, the more knowledge you have, the more it helps.

__________________
rrnut-2
Register to Reply
Register to Reply 10 comments
Copy to Clipboard

Users who posted comments:

Anonymous Poster (1); jhunter1972 (2); jrf (3); rrnut-2 (4)

Previous in Forum: LG Plasma TV / Sky HD Compatability Problem   Next in Forum: T1 Line Measurements in Cell Base Stations
You might be interested in: Tomography Systems, Radio Receiver ICs, RF Transmitters

Advertisement