Broadcast Technicians

Broadcast technicians need to have a tech savvy personality. Skills in information technology and electronics are essential in this profession since most recording, editing, and broadcasting work is done on computers. Aspiring broadcast technicians must demonstrate manual dexterity, and have a knack for working with electrical, electronic, mechanical systems and equipment.

Attributes such as decision making skills and judgment skills are required in order to make prompt decisions regarding a problem on air or on television. A certain degree of originality and creativity is also expected.

Furthermore, technicians should prefer doing activities of a technical nature. They should be able to work independently or as part of a team. The ability to apply and relate to technical knowledge, adapt to various kinds of operating situations, deal with issues quickly without becoming perplexed, follow instructions and communicate clearly with others, and work with precision & accuracy is equally important in this career.

Broadcast technicians are responsible for setting up, operating, adjusting and maintaining the equipment & tools that are required for transmitting radio and television shows. They regulate signal strength, image color & clarity, and adjust the ranges of sounds of broadcasts. In doing so, they ensure optimum quality of the broadcasts. Broadcast technicians also communicate with station personnel to determine suitable audio and video levels.

In addition, they observe monitors and ascertain that programs are airing. Technicians are also needed to switch from one studio to the other, from one camera to another, or from film to live broadcasting. A broadcast technician's responsibilities also include maintaining programming logs.

There are several categories of broadcast technicians. Chief technicians, for example, oversee the work of all other technicians. Maintenance technicians set up, maintain and repair equipment. Transmitter technicians work near transmitters that send out the signals. Lighting technicians set up and operate the lighting in the studios and boom operators are in charge of handling the large microphones that pick up the voices in studios. Some may act as camera operators, and others are technical directors, who control equipment via switchboards.

Most broadcast technicians, however, are able to do multiple jobs and are often able to switch duties whenever required. Therefore, they operate or use a range of tools and equipment, some of which include recorders, cameras, microphones, headphones, lightings, amplification equipment, mobile vans, sound effects systems etc.

High school courses in mathematics and physics provide a strong background for broadcast technicians. An associate degree in areas such as broadcast technology, computer networking or electronics is required to qualify in this field. There are many technical & vocational schools and some community colleges that offer training in electronics.

Beginner technicians develop their skills from on-the-job training by other senior technicians and supervisors. Usually, they start off their careers in smaller stations and, as they gain enough experience, move on to bigger stations.

Bigger stations generally hire technicians with enough experience, and advanced training is useful in securing supervisory or specialized jobs at such stations. In fact, college graduates with degrees in engineering usually start off work in supervisory or other executive positions.

A job in radio broadcasting is an entry level position that generally does not require completion of any formal training. In addition, some countries require anyone who uses a broadcast transmitter to have a restricted radiotelephone operator permit by law. However, no test is required to obtain this permit.

Salary prospects for broadcast technicians vary, depending on employer, location, experience, and skill. Those working at large stations and networks in big metropolitan cities make considerably more money than those working at small stations with few listeners.

In the US, annual earnings of broadcast technicians averaged out to be $32,000 in 2009. The salary ranges from $22,000 to $63,000.

Broadcast technicians usually work indoors in comfortable, well equipped studios. However, those employed by news stations and other stations whose programs have outdoor locations may have to work outside in different weather conditions, as well as in other hazardous settings in places such as auditoriums, stadiums or even airports. Maintenance technicians’ work may involve climbing poles or towers, and those who are responsible to set up equipment are required to lift reasonable amounts of weight.

Technicians employed at big stations usually work a forty hour week, sometimes under intense pressure to be able to meet broadcasting deadlines, resulting in some intermittent overtime. On the other hand, technicians employed at small stations commonly work overtime because of the lack of technicians employed at these stations, sometimes extending up to fifty hours a week.

Working evenings, night shifts, weekends, and holidays is typical because most channels are constantly airing throughout the week. Furthermore, whenever the station is broadcasting, technicians need to be available on duty to be able to deal with any issues that arise during this time.

Broadcast technicians may also travel quite a bit, either in the vicinity or out of town to set up broadcasts. Generally, radio

broadcast technicians

usually work indoors in pleasant offices and radio work is somewhat more routine than television work.

This job has immediacy and excitement. Benefits include overtime pay for extra hours and paid vacations. Broadcast technicians also get the chance of working amongst famous celebrities, such as actors, politicians, models, etc.

There are few hazards encountered in this occupation. Technicians are more prone to being exposed to shocks and burns from electrical circuits and other electronic equipment. They may have to work outdoors in harsh weather conditions and dangerous circumstances, climb poles and do heavy manual work such as lifting weight.

Technicians who work for television broadcasts may have inflexible schedules and may be required to work long hours under great pressure to meet deadlines. The work may be extremely wearisome, especially while working evenings, nights and holidays.

Competition for these jobs is fierce, especially in chief metropolitan areas. Even though the pay is best in larger cities, employment opportunities may be most promising in smaller cities and towns. Obtaining formal education provides the ultimate preparation for a career in broadcasting. Radio or television broadcast stations have twice as many technicians employed than those in motion picture, sound or video recording industries. Mostly, technicians progress ahead by securing employment in bigger stations that have vast audiences. Experienced technicians get promoted to chief technicians or supervisors in stations that hire many technicians.

However, in spite of the increased competition, it is estimated that

broadcast technicians

will experience little or no change in employment through 2018. Today, with advancements in technology, broadcasting is mainly controlled by computers, which will greatly restrict job growth.

Additionally, employment opportunities are also affected by the merging of radio stations. Plus, this field is relatively small and most job openings will result from technicians retiring, quitting the job or switching fields. Statistics suggest that there were 39,000

broadcast technicians

employed in the US in 2008.

Small cities and towns of developed countries offer most promising job opportunities. However, the pay is best in large metropolitan areas such as New York & Los Angeles in USA, London in UK, Mumbai, Delhi & Chennai in India.