Broadcast Technicians

• Nature of the Work

  Broadcast technicians install, test, repair, set up, and operate the electronic equipment used to record and transmit radio and television programs. They work with television cameras, microphones, tape recorders, light and sound effects, transmitters, antennas, and other equipment. Some broadcast technicians develop movie sound tracks in motion picture production studios.

  In the control room of a radio or television broadcasting studio, these technicians operate equipment that regulates the signal strength, clarity, and range of sounds and colors of recording or broadcasts. They also operate control panels to select the source of the material. Technicians may switch from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programs. By means of hand signals and, in television, telephone headsets, they give technical directions to studio personnel.

  Broadcast technicians in small stations perform a variety of duties. In large stations and at the networks, technicians are more specialized, although job assignments may change from day to day. The terms "operator," "engineer," and "technician" often are used interchangeably to describe these jobs. Transmitter operators monitor and log outgoing signals and operate transmitters. Maintenance technicians set up, adjust, service, and repair electronic broadcasting equipment. Audio control engineers regulate sound pickup, transmission, and switching of television pictures while video control engineers regulate their quality, brightness, and contrast. Recording engineers operate and maintain video and sound recording equipment. They may operate equipment designed to produce special effects, such as the illusions of a bolt of lightning or a police siren. Field technicians set up and operate broadcasting portable field transmission equipment outside the studio.

  Television news coverage requires so much electronic equipment, and the technology is changing so fast, that many stations assign technicians exclusively to news. Chief engineers, transmission engineers, and broadcast field supervisors supervise the technicians who operate and maintain broadcasting equipment.

  Technicians in the motion picture industry are called sound mixers or rerecording mixers. Mixers produce the sound track of a movie using a process called dubbing. They sit at sound consoles facing the screen and fade in and fade out each sound and regulate its volume. Each technician is responsible for certain sounds. Technicians follow a script that tells at precisely what moment, as the film runs through the projector, each of the sounds must be faded in and out. All the sounds for each shot are thus blended on a master sound track.

• Working Conditions

  Broadcast technicians generally work indoors in pleasant surroundings. However, those who broadcast from disaster areas or crime scenes may work under less favorable conditions. Technicians doing maintenance may climb poles or antenna towers, while those setting up equipment do heavy lifting.

  Technicians in large stations and the networks usually work a 40-hour week, but may occasionally work overtime under great pressure to meet broadcast deadlines. Technicians in small stations routinely work more than 40 hours a week. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is usual because most stations are on the air 18 to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Those who work on motion pictures may be on a tight schedule to finish according to contract agreements.

• Employment

  Broadcast technicians held about 42,000 jobs in 1994. About 7 out of 10 broadcast technicians were in radio and television broadcasting. Almost 2 in 10 worked in the motion picture industry. About 8 percent worked for cable and other pay television services. Some were self employed. Television stations employ, on average, many more technicians than radio stations. Some are employed in other industries, producing employee communications, sales, and training programs. Technician jobs in television are located in virtually all cities, while jobs in radio are also found in most smaller towns. The highest paying and most specialized jobs are concentrated in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.—the originating centers for most of network programs. Motion picture production jobs are concentrated in Los Angeles and New York City.

• Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

  The best way to prepare for a broadcast technician job in radio and television-particularly for those who hope to advance to supervisory positions or to jobs in large stations and at the networks-is to obtain technical school, community college, or college training in broadcast technology or in engineering or electronics. On the other hand, there is no formal training for jobs in the motion picture industry. People are hired as apprentice editorial assistants and work their way up to more skilled jobs. Reputation, determination, and luck are important in getting jobs.

  Federal law requires a restricted radiotelephone operator permit for persons who operate and maintain broadcast transmitters in radio and television stations. No examination is required to obtain one. The Federal Communications Commission no longer requires persons working with microwave to have a general radiotelephone operator license; however, some States may require a license.

  Beginners learn skills on the job from experienced technicians and supervisors. They generally begin their careers in small stations and, if qualified, move on to larger ones. Large stations generally only hire technicians with experience. Many employers pay tuition and expenses for courses or seminars to help technicians keep abreast of developments in the field.

  Certification by the Society of Broadcast Engineers is a mark of competence and experience. The certificate is issued to experienced technicians who pass an examination.

  Prospective technicians should take high school courses in math, physics, and electronics. Building electronic equipment from hobby kits and operating a "ham" or amateur radio are good experience, as is work in college radio and television stations.

  Broadcast technicians must have an aptitude for working with electrical and mechanical systems and equipment and manual dexterity.

  Experienced technicians may become supervisory technicians or chief engineers. A college degree in engineering is generally needed to become chief engineer at a large TV station.

• Job Outlook

  People seeking beginning jobs as radio and television broadcast technicians are expected to face strong competition in major metropolitan areas, where the number of qualified jobseekers greatly exceeds the number of openings. There, stations seek highly experienced personnel. Prospects for entry level positions generally are better in small cities and towns for people with appropriate training.

  Employment of broadcast technicians is expected to decline through the year 2005. Employment in radio and television broadcasting is expected to decline because of laborsaving technical advances such as computer-controlled programming and remote control of transmitters. This has shifted the emphasis from operations to maintenance work, which frequently is performed by commercial and industrial electronic equipment repairers employed by broadcasting equipment manufacturers. (See the statement on this occupation elsewhere in the Handbook.)

  Employment in the motion picture industry will grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job prospects are expected to remain competitive, however, because of the large number of people attracted to this relatively small field.

  Virtually all job openings will result from the need to replace experienced technicians who leave the occupation. Turnover is relatively high for broadcast technicians. Many leave the occupation for electronic jobs in other areas such as computer technology or commercial and industrial repair because the number of jobs is limited in large cities where pay is high.

• Earnings

  Television stations usually pay higher salaries than radio stations; commercial broadcasting usually pays more than educational broadcasting; and stations in large markets pay more than those in small ones.

  According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Broadcast Cable Financial Management Association, the average earnings for technicians at radio stations were $23,569 a year in 1994. For chief engineer, average earnings were $43,500 and the range was $34,256 to $57,937. In television, the average earnings for operator technician were $24,260a year, and salaries ranged from $16,422 in the smallest markets to $45,158 in the largest markets; for technical director, the average earnings were $25,962 and the range was $18,444 to $44,531; for maintenance technician, the average was $32,533 and the range was $24,210 to $50,235; and for chief engineer, the average was $53,655 and the salaries ranged from $38,178 in the smallest markets to $91,051 in the largest markets.

  Earnings in the motion picture industry depend on skill and reputation, and, based on limited information, range from $20,000 to $100,000 a year.

• Related Occupations

  Broadcast technicians need the electronics training and hand coordination necessary to operate technical equipment, and they generally complete specialized postsecondary programs. Others with similar jobs and training include drafters, engineering and science technicians, surveyors, air traffic controllers, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapy workers, cardiovascular technologists and technicians, electroneurodiagnostic technicians, and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians.

• Sources of Additional Information

  For information about licensing, write to:
  Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Assistance Office, 1270 Fairfield Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245 or call 1 800 322-1117.

  For information on careers for broadcast technicians, write to:
  National Association of Broadcasters Employment Clearinghouse, 1771 N St. NW., Washington, DC 20036.

  For a list of schools that offer programs or courses in broadcasting, contact:
  Broadcast Education Association, National Association of Broadcasters, 1771 N St. NW., Washington, DC 20036.

  For information on certification, contact:
  Society of Broadcast Engineers, 8445 Keystone Crossing, Suite 140, Indianapolis, IN 46240.

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