Broadcast Technician Job Description

The Broadcast Technician sets-up, operates, and maintains the electronic equipment used to transmit radio and television programs.

Primary Objectives:

• The Broadcast Technician is responsible to control audio equipment to regulate volume level and quality of sound during radio and television broadcasts.

• The Broadcast Technician operates radio transmitter to broadcast radio and television programs.

• The Broadcast Technician maintains programming logs, as required by station management and the Federal Communications Commission.

The Broadcast Technician controls audio equipment in order to regulate the volume and sound quality during radio and television broadcasts. Their job is very important in order to make sure that the public receives sound the right way. In television the sound must coincide with the characters words along with the proper music that is accompanying the production. When the voices are being dubbed into the picture it is very difficult for a Broadcast Technician to get things done in an orderly fashion. It is their responsibility to make sure that the quality of sound is good.

The Broadcast Technician monitors strength, clarity, and reliability of incoming and outgoing signals, and adjust equipment as necessary to maintain quality broadcasts. The only manner of taking care of the responsibility of sound is the responsibility of the Broadcast Technician. The Broadcast Technician must regulate the fidelity, brightness, and contrast of video transmissions, using video console control panels. The quality of the production is vital to the viewing audience and to the performers. When a broadcast goes out over the open air for others to view and hear it must be clear and vibrant with a great quality of sound in order to make the production a big success.

The Broadcast Technician observes monitors and converses with station personnel in order to determine audio and video levels and to ascertain that programs are airing. When the program airs it is important that everything be perfect because in this business there are no take backs. The viewing and listening audience has received the broadcast as it first airs. Live broadcasts can be very hard on the Broadcast Technician there is a lot of pressure for perfection. The Broadcast Technician must be able to take pressure while they are working and be able to make decisions on the moment. It is not unusual for the Broadcast Technician to have to change the way things are being done.

The Broadcast Technician must preview scheduled programs to ensure that signals are functioning and programs are ready for transmission. The Broadcast Technician now sure that everything is set and the program is ready to air must keep a watchful eye to make sure that nothing goes wrong. The Broadcast Technician selects sources from which programming will be received, or through which programming will be transmitted. The Broadcast Technician reports equipment problems, and ensure that repairs are made; make emergency repairs to equipment when necessary and possible. The Broadcast Technician is the one who records sound onto tape or film for radio or television, checking its quality and making adjustments where necessary. It is very important when the Broadcast Technician records the sound for the radio and television broadcasts that there are no glitches in the recordings or sudden pauses. This could throw the whole program off balance and cost the Broadcast Technician his job.

The Broadcast Technician must also align antennae with receiving dishes in order to obtain the clearest signal for transmission of broadcasts from field locations. Often a Broadcast Technician who is working in the field must make sure that the sound quality is just as great as if they are in the studio. Broadcast Technician often works out in the field with news casters, onstage performers, and at sporting events. These are the types of events that require the Broadcast Technician to always be on their toes making good decisions quickly. Once the production is broadcasted there is no way to take it back.

The on the spot Broadcast Technician realizes that he must be good in order to do this kind of work and gets a very good salary normally. The type of work that a Broadcast Technician performs requires specialty training and a degree in their field. They need to be able to perform preventive and minor equipment maintenance, using hand tools. Instruct trainees in how to use television production equipment, how to film events, and how to copy/edit graphics or sound onto videotape. The Schedule programming, and or read television programming logs in order to determine which programs are to be recorded or aired.

Degrees and Training to Become a Broadcast Technician

• Telecommunications Degree

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