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Date: 04/02/2025

Broadcast Technicians

Set up, operate, and maintain the electronic equipment used to acquire, edit, and transmit audio and video for radio or television programs. Control and adjust incoming and outgoing broadcast signals to regulate sound volume, signal strength, and signal clarity. Operate satellite, microwave, or other transmitter equipment to broadcast radio or television programs.

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  • Work Activities
  • Skills
  • WorkKeys®
  • Abilities
  • Knowledge
  • Career Video
  • Pay
  • Ohio Employment Trends
  • Typical Education
  • Personality
  • Tools
  • Technology
  • Tags
  • Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
  • Select sources from which programming will be received or through which programming will be transmitted.
  • Determine the number, type, and approximate location of microphones needed for best sound recording or transmission quality, and position them appropriately.
  • Preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission.
  • Make commercial dubs.
  • Record sound onto tape or film for radio or television, checking its quality and making adjustments where necessary.
  • Edit broadcast material electronically, using computers.
  • Set up, operate, and maintain broadcast station computers and networks.
  • Develop employee work schedules.
  • Organize recording sessions and prepare areas, such as radio booths and television stations, for recording.
  • Substitute programs in cases where signals fail.
  • Maintain programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
  • Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
  • Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
  • Play and record broadcast programs, using automation systems.
  • Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
  • Instruct trainees in use of television production equipment, filming of events, and copying and editing graphics or sound onto videotape.
  • Give technical directions to other personnel during filming.
  • Control audio equipment to regulate volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts.
  • Set up and operate portable field transmission equipment outside the studio.
  • Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
  • Install broadcast equipment, troubleshoot equipment problems, and perform maintenance or minor repairs, using hand tools.
  • Install broadcast equipment, troubleshoot equipment problems, and perform maintenance or minor repairs, using hand tools.
  • Regulate the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels.
  • Prepare reports outlining past and future programs, including content.
  • Align antennae with receiving dishes to obtain the clearest signal for transmission of broadcasts from field locations.
  • Monitor and log transmitter readings.
  • Discuss production requirements with clients.

Work Activities

Work Activities

  • Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
  • Select sources from which programming will be received or through which programming will be transmitted.
  • Determine the number, type, and approximate location of microphones needed for best sound recording or transmission quality, and position them appropriately.
  • Preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission.
  • Make commercial dubs.
  • Record sound onto tape or film for radio or television, checking its quality and making adjustments where necessary.
  • Edit broadcast material electronically, using computers.
  • Set up, operate, and maintain broadcast station computers and networks.
  • Develop employee work schedules.
  • Organize recording sessions and prepare areas, such as radio booths and television stations, for recording.
  • Substitute programs in cases where signals fail.
  • Maintain programming logs as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.
  • Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
  • Monitor strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts.
  • Play and record broadcast programs, using automation systems.
  • Report equipment problems, ensure that repairs are made, and make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible.
  • Instruct trainees in use of television production equipment, filming of events, and copying and editing graphics or sound onto videotape.
  • Give technical directions to other personnel during filming.
  • Control audio equipment to regulate volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts.
  • Set up and operate portable field transmission equipment outside the studio.
  • Observe monitors and converse with station personnel to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing.
  • Install broadcast equipment, troubleshoot equipment problems, and perform maintenance or minor repairs, using hand tools.
  • Install broadcast equipment, troubleshoot equipment problems, and perform maintenance or minor repairs, using hand tools.
  • Regulate the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels.
  • Prepare reports outlining past and future programs, including content.
  • Align antennae with receiving dishes to obtain the clearest signal for transmission of broadcasts from field locations.
  • Monitor and log transmitter readings.
  • Discuss production requirements with clients.

Skills

  • Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • Science

    Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.

  • Active Listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • Critical Thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • Social Perceptiveness

    Understanding people's reactions.

  • Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.

  • Equipment Maintenance

    Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.

  • Quality Control Analysis

    Testing how well a product or service works.

  • Coordination

    Changing what is done based on other people's actions.

  • Complex Problem Solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • Programming

    Writing computer programs.

  • Learning Strategies

    Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.

  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Reading work-related information.

  • Management of Financial Resources

    Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.

  • Systems Analysis

    Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.

  • Troubleshooting

    Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.

  • Repairing

    Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.

  • Operations Analysis

    Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.

  • Mathematics

    Using math to solve problems.

  • Management of Personnel Resources

    Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.

  • Systems Evaluation

    Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.

  • Time Management

    Managing your time and the time of other people.

  • Management of Material Resources

    Managing equipment and materials.

  • Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.

  • Installation

    Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.

  • Equipment Selection

    Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.

  • Active Learning

    Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.

  • Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • Operations Monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.

  • Technology Design

    Making equipment and technology useful for customers.

  • Service Orientation

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • Negotiation

    Bringing people together to solve differences.

  • Operation and Control

    Using equipment or systems.

WorkKeys®

Applied Math
4
Workplace Documents
4
Graphic Literacy
4

Abilities

  • Oral Comprehension

    Listening and understanding what people say.

  • Finger Dexterity

    Putting together small parts with your fingers.

  • Written Comprehension

    Reading and understanding what is written.

  • Wrist-Finger Speed

    Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.

  • Visualization

    Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • Manual Dexterity

    Holding or moving items with your hands.

  • Night Vision

    Seeing at night or under low light.

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    Keeping your arm or hand steady.

  • Gross Body Equilibrium

    Keeping your balance or staying upright.

  • Mathematical Reasoning

    Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.

  • Trunk Strength

    Using your lower back and stomach.

  • Inductive Reasoning

    Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.

  • Category Flexibility

    Grouping things in different ways.

  • Speed of Closure

    Quickly knowing what you are looking at.

  • Oral Expression

    Communicating by speaking.

  • Written Expression

    Communicating by writing.

  • Response Orientation

    Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.

  • Rate Control

    Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.

  • Speech Clarity

    Speaking clearly.

  • Visual Color Discrimination

    Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.

  • Dynamic Strength

    Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.

  • Spatial Orientation

    Knowing where things are around you.

  • Static Strength

    Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.

  • Glare Sensitivity

    Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.

  • Time Sharing

    Doing two or more things at the same time.

  • Sound Localization

    Noticing the direction that a sound came from.

  • Flexibility of Closure

    Seeing hidden patterns.

  • Far Vision

    Seeing details that are far away.

  • Near Vision

    Seeing details up close.

  • Dynamic Flexibility

    Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • Fluency of Ideas

    Coming up with lots of ideas.

  • Reaction Time

    Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.

  • Depth Perception

    Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.

  • Speech Recognition

    Recognizing spoken words.

  • Explosive Strength

    Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.

  • Peripheral Vision

    Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.

  • Gross Body Coordination

    Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.

  • Selective Attention

    Paying attention to something without being distracted.

  • Deductive Reasoning

    Using rules to solve problems.

  • Information Ordering

    Ordering or arranging things.

  • Number Facility

    Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.

  • Memorization

    Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.

  • Problem Sensitivity

    Noticing when problems happen.

  • Extent Flexibility

    Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • Stamina

    Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.

  • Perceptual Speed

    Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

  • Auditory Attention

    Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.

  • Speed of Limb Movement

    Quickly moving your arms and legs.

  • Originality

    Creating new and original ideas.

  • Control Precision

    Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • Multilimb Coordination

    Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • Hearing Sensitivity

    Telling the difference between sounds.

Knowledge

  • Transportation

    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

  • Administrative

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

  • Mechanical

    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • Production and Processing

    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

  • 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.

  • Foreign Language

    Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

  • Public Safety and Security

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

  • Mathematics

    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

  • Fine Arts

    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

  • Medicine and Dentistry

    Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

  • Sales and Marketing

    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • Sociology and Anthropology

    Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

  • Psychology

    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

  • Food Production

    Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

  • Law and Government

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

  • Education and Training

    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • Telecommunications

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

  • English Language

    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • Engineering and Technology

    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

  • Biology

    Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

  • 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.

  • Economics and Accounting

    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

  • Building and Construction

    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

  • Philosophy and Theology

    Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

  • History and Archeology

    Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

  • Chemistry

    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

  • Physics

    Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

  • Geography

    Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

  • 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.

  • Personnel and Human Resources

    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

  • Therapy and Counseling

    Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

  • Computers and Electronics

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

  • Design

    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Career Video

Additional videos and more information available on CareerOneStop

Pay

  • US Typical Salary
  • $125,410
    $57,690
    $28,080
  • US Typical Hourly Wage
  • $60
    $28
    $14

Ohio Employment Trends

  • Currently Employed 980
  • Yearly Projected Openings 80

Typical Education

Personality

Conventional: People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Integrity

Tools

  • Audio mixing consoles
  • Camera controllers
  • Computer servers
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital camcorders or video cameras
  • Digital video disk players or recorders
  • Digital voice recorders
  • Frequency analyzers
  • Hard disk drives
  • Media control systems
  • Microphones
  • Minivans or vans
  • Modulators
  • Network routers
  • Notebook computers
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Personal computers
  • Radio frequency transmitters or receivers
  • Satellite receivers
  • Stage or projection or studio lighting system
  • Video cassette players or recorders
  • Video editors
  • Videoconferencing systems

Technology

  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Desktop publishing software
  • Electronic mail software
  • Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Music or sound editing software
  • Office suite software
  • Operating system software
  • Presentation software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Video creation and editing software
  • Word processing software

Tags

  • Apprenticeships are available for this occupation. These programs can help you get hands-on experience and build your skills.
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