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Have you got a television antenna that needs to be installed, repaired or has to undergo some general maintenance work? If the answer is yes, then an antenna installer is the person you need to see.
Television antenna installers work with antennas of various sizes and designs. These antennas are made up of a series of elements cut to specific lengths, which relate to the frequency of the signal the antenna is designed to receive. For example, if an area's television reception is particularly poor, such as in coastal areas, then a larger antenna will generally be installed.
Most of the antenna installers in Western Australia deal only with the installation of television antennas, however, some may also work with telecommunications, satellite or radio.
After Mr Antenna Man Called In
''After a client has accepted my quote, it's time to start work. They start by showing me where their television is and where they'd like the television outlet. A hole has to be drilled into the external wall (cavity wall) so that I can thread cable through the wall and out onto the roof,'' says self-employed antenna installer, Andrew Namnik.
He says that tiles may have to be removed to allow him to do this. The cable is pulled up with enough cable length remaining to position and secure the antenna. An antenna pole, to which the antenna will be secured, gets mounted and, using a field strength meter, installers find the strongest reception signal (in the direction of a broadcast). Finally, a wall socket gets fitted to the cable which then gets fitted to the wall. ''All that's left is to plug the television in and to tune it in,'' says Andrew.
An installation such as this may take as little as an hour, however, installations at multi-storeyed buildings, such as a block of flats or a hotel, may take as long as a few days.
Some of the more popular mounting sites for an outdoor antenna include the side of the house where the roof peaks and directly on top of the roof along the ridge. However, in many areas of Perth there is enough signal strength to mount the antenna inside the roof, provided it is a tiled roof. If the antenna is mounted outdoors, it should be sturdy enough to withstand high winds and corrosion.
There are obvious dangers for antenna installers during rooftop installations. There is the risk of falling, as well as the possibility of getting an electrical shock. To avoid this, antenna installers should keep an eye out for power lines, especially when moving a ladder around. A sound awareness of occupational safety and health regulations is a must for people considering this occupation.
An Antenna That's Gone Haywire
Like any type of equipment, antennas need repairing from time to time. According to Andrew Namnik, one of the more common repair jobs carried out on television antennas involves replacing cable after it has come away from the antenna. In cases where the antenna has actually come apart, Andrew says it's better to just replace the antenna rather than repair the damaged cable.
Good problem-solving skills and being able to work out the best solution quickly, are important for people considering this line of work.
Antenna installers have to deal with people over the telephone as well as in person when they go to peoples' homes. It's important, therefore, that they demonstrate good customer service skills.
''You need to be able to go into someone's home or a business and show initiative,'' says Andrew.
According to Andrew, some of the bonuses of his job include meeting new people, and not being in the same place all of the time. He also says that this type of work requires patience because of the routine nature of the tasks involved.
Population growth may result in an increased demand by consumers for antenna-reliant devices such as television and cable television. However, there is a relatively high number of antenna installation businesses (many of which are run singlehandedly) which increases competition, and electricians and telecommunications technicians are also trained to carry out antenna installations.
The salary for a junior antenna installer is approximately $18,500 per year, while an adult may earn $30,000 to $34,000. Some self-employed installers can earn in the vicinity of $60,000 per year. For more accurate salary figures you might contact the Western Australian Information, Electrotechnology and Utilities Industry Training Council or an antenna installation business. You might also like to look at the Australian Government Workplace Authority website below.
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