Radio Operator

Other Titles

Airline Operations Agent, Communications Specialist, Communications Technician, Flight Communications Specialist, Flight Follower, Police Communications Operator, Radio Electronics Officer, Radio Electronics Technician, Telecommunication Operator

Radio Operators oversee and operate radio equipment used in the reception and transmission of radio messages. Such operators are also responsible for troubleshooting problems with such equipment and repairing the equipment when required. In this function, one of their key activities is to monitor radio communications to respond timely to any emergency calls. In doing so, they may communicate with aircrafts, ships and remote oil rigs. A part of their job as a radio operator is to handle various controls on the radio equipment and switch between frequencies when required. They also perform routine inspections of the equipment to detect any malfunctions in advance.

Monitor emergency frequencies to detect distress calls and respond by dispatching emergency equipment.

Communicate with receiving operators to exchange transmission instructions.

Operate radio equipment to communicate with ships, aircraft, mining crews, offshore oil rigs, logging camps and other remote operations.

Broadcast weather reports and warnings.

Maintain station logs of messages transmitted and received for activities such as flight testing and fire locations.

Conduct periodic equipment inspections and routine tests to ensure that operations standards are met.

Turn controls or throw switches to activate power, adjust voice volume and modulation, and set transmitters on specified frequencies.

Operate sound-recording equipment to record signals and preserve broadcasts for purposes such as analysis by intelligence personnel.

Send, receive, and interpret coded messages.

Repair radio equipment as necessary, using electronic testing equipment, hand tools, and power tools.

Coordinate radio-related aspects of locating and contacting airplanes and ships that are missing or in distress.

Determine and obtain bearings of sources from which signals originate, using direction-finding procedures and equipment.

Examine and operate new equipment prior to installation to ensure that it performs properly.

Review applicable regulations regarding radio communications, and report violations.

Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Operation Monitoring→ Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Social Perceptiveness→ Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization→ Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Scheduling Work and Activities→ Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others→ Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Operate audio recording equipment.

Operate communications, transmissions, or broadcasting equipment.

Maintain recording or broadcasting equipment.

Report news to the public.

Inspect communications or broadcasting equipment.

Maintain logs of production activities.

Operate control consoles for sound, lighting or video.

Maintain knowledge of laws or regulations.

Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Problem Sensitivity→ The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Auditory Attention→ The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Selective Attention→ The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Finger Dexterity→ The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Flexibility of Closure→ The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Hearing Sensitivity→ The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.

Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Control Precision→ The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Time Sharing→ The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Public Safety and Security→ Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Computers and Electronics→ Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Telecommunications→ Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Communications and Media→ Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Clerical→ Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Administration and Management→ Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Law and Government→ Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Database user interface and query software -- Database software

Electronic mail software

Internet browser software -- e.g., Windows Explorer

Office suite software -- e.g., Corel WordPerfect Office X; Microsoft Office

Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Microsoft Excel

Word processing software -- e.g., Microsoft Word

Antenna tester→ Antenna analyzers

Battery testers→ Battery test tools

Conversation recording units→ Sound recording equipment

Desktop computers

Dummy loads→ Dummy antennas

Gas generators→ Portable power generators

Global positioning system GPS receiver→ Global positioning system GPS devices

Laser fax machine→ Laser facsimile machines

Locking pliers→ Channel lock pliers; Ignition pliers; Vise grip pliers

Microphones→ Handheld microphones

Multimeters→ Digital multimeters

Needlenose pliers→ Needle nose pliers

Notebook computers→ Laptop computers

Radio antennas→ Portable radio antennas

Radio equipment tester→ Radio function testers

Radio frequency transmitters or receivers→ High frequency HF radios; Radiotelegraphs; Radiotelephones; Very high frequency VHF radios

Radio navigation instruments→ Radio direction finders RDF

Radiowave propagation measuring equipment→ Standing wave ratio SWR meters

Satellite phone→ Satellite telephones

Screwdrivers→ Straight blade screwdrivers

Socket sets→ Socket wrench sets

Soldering iron→ Electric soldering irons

Tablet computers

Tape measures→ Measuring tapes

Two way radios→ Mobile radios; Single channel radios

Utility knives→ Multipurpose knives

Wire cutters→ Wire cutting tools

Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional→ Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.

Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Support→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Achievement→ Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Relationships→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.