career training

[radiobug]

:?: I am extremely interested in learning to program radios for public safety use as a career. Can anyone suggest how I can get started. Is there a school anywhere in proximity to Hartford County that teaches this or is it learned through on the job training. I am more interested in learning programming than I am in the electronic aspects of the radio and have some basic knowledge of frequencies.
Thanks for any help anyone can give me

 

[millrad]

That's a tough question. My suggestion is to learn as much as you can about electronics, RF and two way systems. I don't know if classes are
offered in person, but there are a number of on-line courses in this regard. Check the APCO site, also the Wireless Industry News site.
Becoming a ham radio operator would help, since a lot of hams are in the technical end of two-way and careers are often steered by networking with other people. It might also help to consider obtaining your GROL (General Radio Operator's License) from the FCC.
Overkill you say? I agree. But these are the type of qualifications you need to work for a radio service such as Marcus Communications in Manchester, Northeast Motorola in Waterbury and Danbury, Utility Communications in Hamden, or McAuliffe Radio in Middletown.
Good Luck and Best Regard!
Pete 8) 8)

 

[wesct]

Overkill you say? I agree. But these are the type of qualifications you need to work for a radio service such as Marcus Communications in Manchester, Northeast Motorola in Waterbury and Danbury, Utility Communications in Hamden, or McAuliffe Radio in Middletown.
Good Luck and Best Regard!
Pete


the last i knew, howard sold his business to new england communications.

but anyway, starting out as a ham is the best way to learn.

wesct

 

[MikeinCT]

radio shops

All the suggestions above are great, go for it...

another good idea is to simply stop in at a shop and talk to a technician. He/she could give you a real world idea of what you need and what to expect. I wouldnt trytalking to the boss unless it is a very small shop... or he/she is friendly. They are often too busy to meet unannounced.

The technicians are more up to date on current qualifications, etc. They could really fill you in on what is required and what is really needed!

(Many of us here started in radio decades ago when two way radios were steam powered!)

Talk to a current tech.

One thing to note: I believe our beloved State of CT requires a license now. (Of course, CT is not doing it for the $$ !) so be prepeared. Sopmeone on this board should have the current info on "State Certification" or whatever Hartford calls it.

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Last I heard, Howard is fishing every day in Florida. Watta life.

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There are about 20 significant sized two way shops in CT. There should be one within a few miles of you. Don't limit yourself to the "big three"

check it out!!! good luck!

Mike in Guilford
KM1R

 

[wesct]

Last I heard, Howard is fishing every day in Florida. Watta life

i havent seen him in a long time. the last i knew, he was doing consulting work on his own. i also think he still owns the east hampton site.

i do know that you should get a low voltage license, so you can do installs.


wesct

 

[PJH]

Your best bet is to get into an electronics school and go from there. Also, the FCC has certain levels of certification for repair of transmitting equipment. I think the GROL is still in use. Many that they use to require are no longer required. Connecticut implented or "came to light" some sort of electronics/electrical certification, even if you are installing in vehicles. Apparently even the install guys at Whelen had to do this. They was a very big stink about it.

There is much more to radio's than "programming" them up. The vast majority is actual board level repair (becoming less and less at the field level), site installs, vehicle installs, PM work, trouble shooting. Its not all ways plugging in a couple and clicking ok. There is A LOT to know and to UNDERSTAND.

Programming a radio is about 1% of their work load. Once you setup one radio in the software, you just clone the rest and takes a min a radio.

In addition, the hours and pressure usually sucks, and not too many people are that happy with the jobs. Not to discourge you, but the industry is not what it once was 10-15 years ago with all the mergers on the radio shop wars.

 

[JoeyC]

The "Just show me how to fly the plane. I don't need to know how to land." story comes to mind with this.

Sounds like the guy wants to jump right into a career by circumventing the theory and background part that would be necessary to troubleshoot issues. Not a very bright idea.

If you want to program radios for a living, educate yourself in electronics and radio theory. Like the other guy said, programming radios will be about 1% of the business and you won't keep a job very long if you can only do 1% of the work.

 

[JoeyC]

The "Just show me how to fly the plane. I don't need to know how to land." story comes to mind with this.

Sounds like the guy wants to jump right into a career by circumventing the theory and background part that would be necessary to troubleshoot issues. Not a very bright idea.

If you want to program radios for a living, educate yourself in electronics and radio theory. Like the other guy said, programming radios will be about 1% of the business and you won't keep a job very long if you can only do 1% of the work.