What does a radio frequency technician do?
A radio frequency technician specializes in installing and repairing wireless communication systems. In a company setting, their responsibilities include coordinating with staff to identify needs, assessing existing facilities to learn its strengths and weaknesses, implementing solutions on problem areas, and performing regular maintenance checks, conducting corrective measures, and adjustments as needed. They may also develop upgrades on systems to optimize procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Furthermore, as a radio frequency technician, it is essential to provide technical support, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Radio frequency technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real radio frequency technician resumes:
- Install, configure, upgrade, and manage Cisco routers and switches daily.
- Process improvement efforts and/or other opportunities to automate these processes with computer applications with C++ and/or Java where applicable.
- Install Nortel CDMA equipment throughout Kansas.
- Maintain and repair Nortel TDMA equipment.
- Install and maintain GSM and UMTS equipment.
- Repair stocked or customer-own Motorola, Samsung, Nokia and other cellular brand equipment.
- Install, configure, test, commission, optimize, troubleshoot & repair Nortel GSM cellular base stations.
- Test and troubleshoot receivers and transmitters for a product line of communications equipment mainly used in covert operations.
- Perform functional testing of electronic parts utilizing formal test procedures and able to test and troubleshoot engineering prototype units.
- Repair and maintain iDEN (TDMA) cell site.
- Perform DS3/DS1/DS0 cross-connects on DSC DEXCS 1L DACS and Alcatel 1630 DACS.
- Tune & test high power FET for VSWR, gain, noise figure.
- Survey sites for UMTS addition.
- Install and programme E911 systems.
- Install and troubleshot DC power components.
Radio frequency technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Radio Frequency Technicians are proficient in Test Equipment, Troubleshoot, and Power Meters. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Customer-service skills, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Radio Frequency Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Test Equipment, 11%
Operated automated test equipment; troubleshot units to a limited extent; visually inspected and compared products to standard documentation.
- Troubleshoot, 10%
Test and troubleshoot MT8802A Radio Communication Analyzer Measuring Instrument using spectrum analyzer, synthesized generator, signal generator and power meter.
- Power Meters, 5%
Utilize network and spectrum analyzers, signal generators and power meters for evaluation, tuning and testing.
- RF Gun, 5%
Installed and operated new RF laboratory equipment workstations during company s period of expansion in a timely and cost-effective manner.
- Microwave, 5%
Introduced and familiarized customers in using 700+ Microwave Packet Radios/Transmitters; demonstrated each system to meet end-user needs.
- Test Procedures, 4%
Test electronic modules used in the manufacture of military radios and accompanying accessories in accordance with establish test procedures.
"test equipment," "troubleshoot," and "power meters" are among the most common skills that radio frequency technicians use at work. You can find even more radio frequency technician responsibilities below, including:
Color vision. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a radio frequency technician to have is color vision. Their role and responsibilities require that "telecom technicians work with color-coded wires, and they need to be able to tell them apart." Radio frequency technicians often use color vision in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "maintain and repair dragonwave microwave equipment.phone switch technician maintain, program, and provision a nortel mtx switch. "
Customer-service skills. Many radio frequency technician duties rely on customer-service skills. "telecom technicians who work in customers’ homes and offices should be friendly and polite," so a radio frequency technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways radio frequency technician responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "performed failure analysis on engineering units, customer return units and reliability units. "
Dexterity. radio frequency technicians are also known for dexterity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to radio frequency technician responsibilities, because "telecom technicians’ tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination." A radio frequency technician resume example shows how dexterity is used in the workplace: "set up logging for rx, rf handsets for automated call back sequence. "
Troubleshooting skills. radio frequency technician responsibilities often require "troubleshooting skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "telecom technicians must be able to troubleshoot and devise solutions to problems that are not immediately apparent." This resume example shows what radio frequency technicians do with troubleshooting skills on a typical day: "improved failure analysis troubleshooting techniques by statistically analyzing data, which effectively reduced total unit test time. "
Mechanical skills. Another crucial skill for a radio frequency technician to carry out their responsibilities is "mechanical skills." A big part of what radio frequency technicians relies on this skill, since "telecom technicians must be familiar with the devices they install and repair, with their internal parts, and with the appropriate tools needed to use, install, or fix them." How this skill relates to radio frequency technician duties can be seen in an example from a radio frequency technician resume snippet: "use a set of knowledge in rf, electrical, mechanical and materials. "
The three companies that hire the most radio frequency technicians are:
- L3Harris11 radio frequency technicians jobs
- Teledyne Technologies Incorporated7 radio frequency technicians jobs
- Raytheon Technologies5 radio frequency technicians jobs
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Compare different radio frequency technicians
Radio frequency technician vs. Tower equipment repairer
Radiation engineers conduct tests to evaluate the effects of radiation in multiple settings, as well as use the results of these tests to derive theoretical analyses. As engineers, they also design equipment and make sure that it meets all safety requirements. Necessary skills will consist of a keen ability to analyze and repair as well as a strong background in mathematics.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a radio frequency technician are more likely to require skills like "troubleshoot," "power meters," "rf gun," and "microwave." On the other hand, a job as a tower equipment repairer requires skills like "safety procedures," "deep understanding," "technical guidance," and "combat." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Tower equipment repairers tend to reach similar levels of education than radio frequency technicians. In fact, tower equipment repairers are 3.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Radio frequency technician vs. Radio repairer
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that radio frequency technician responsibilities requires skills like "test equipment," "rf gun," "microwave," and "test procedures." But a radio repairer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "equipment components," "preventive maintenance checks," "test programs," and "national security."
In general, radio repairers achieve similar levels of education than radio frequency technicians. They're 2.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Radio frequency technician vs. Technician
A tower technician is responsible for maintaining the performance stability of line towers to provide the best network services for the customers. Tower technicians are often out in the field to conduct repairs and installations for the customers, inspecting the area's condition, and reporting structural inconsistencies and defects. They should have excellent mechanical and electrical knowledge to resolve issues immediately and create resolution manuals to prevent reoccurrence and ensure the safeness and security of line towers.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a radio frequency technician is likely to be skilled in "troubleshoot," "power meters," "rf gun," and "microwave," while a typical technician is skilled in "patients," "customer service," "patient care," and "hand tools."
Technicians make a very good living in the telecommunication industry with an average annual salary of $46,660. On the other hand, radio frequency technicians are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $55,391.When it comes to education, technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to radio frequency technicians. In fact, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Radio frequency technician vs. Tower technician
Types of radio frequency technician
Updated January 8, 2025
