SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Set-up and operate portable microwave links 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115030  Set-up and operate portable microwave links 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Audio-visual Media Production 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language Communication Studies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  20 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be essential to technically skilled people who work in the broadcasting environment and need to use sophisticated methods and equipment to install, set-up, operate and fault find professional microwave and satellite broadcasting equipment.
Learners are required to systematically analyse a range of problems and isolate and diagnose their causes. The problems emanate from the complexities and pressures of the broadcast environment in which immediate and appropriate responses are needed to solve technical problems.

People credited with this standard will be able to:
  • Research and design communication/broadcasts by microwave link
  • Identify and prepare suitable equipment for links
  • Secure access to communication sites
  • Set-up microwave links
  • Operate microwave links
  • Solve technical microwave link problems 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit value is based on the assumption that people starting to learn towards this unit standard already understand:
  • Audio, video and data principles
  • Electronic principles

    and are already competent in:
  • The use of hand and power tools
  • Doing soldering and wiring
  • Using test equipment 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Research and design communication/broadcasts by microwave link. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All requirements of links are determined and verified with clients. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Time, location, equipment, frequencies, audio and video requirements
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The feasibility of links is determined by analyzing and evaluating contour profiles, when required. If links are not feasible, alternative solutions are formulated and proposed to clients. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Power, frequencies and dish sizes are appropriately selected to match available link budgets and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Logistical arrangements are confirmed as in order. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hotel, travel, site/location, appropriate power, access, safety equipment.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify and prepare suitable equipment for links. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Site inspections are done and reports contain all required information on line-of-sight and proposed equipment needed for links. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The type of equipment selected is suitable for the location. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Frequencies, the type of dish, interface cables, power requirements, type of cables and cable connectors.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Stand-by equipment is sufficient for all probable emergencies. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Secure access to communication sites. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Site visits with proprietors and workers of selected communication sites are successfully negotiated and coordinated. Proprietors' site rules are known and adhered to strictly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Access control to communication towers is negotiated successfully before the date of the links. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Bookings, letters, reference numbers, rigging kid and access number.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Right of entry to communication sites is negotiated at both ends of the links before the date of communication / broadcast by microwave links. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Set up microwave links. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Access requirements regarding safety equipment are adhered to when entering communication sites. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment used is appropriate for the event and match requirements of clients. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Cable routes are determined, are safe and secured. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Power requirements are appropriate for equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Rigs are secured and adhere to safety standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Necessary precautions are taken against damage when the equipment is rigged. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Operate microwave links. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Interference from other users is determined before transmissions are switched on. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All parameters of transmitters and receivers are correct as per frequency allocation, polarity and power. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Links are optimized for best reception. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Aeronautical mobile, when used, complies with Department of Civil Aviation Regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Reports are accurate, legible and complete. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Solve technical microwave link problems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Technical, work related, tangible or conceptual problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Potential microwave link problems are identified and evaluated for impact. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate responses are formulated to deal with potential microwave link problems effectively. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Microwave link problems are identified, diagnosed and solutions formulated that are appropriate and effective. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tangible and conceptual problems within own area of responsibility, standard or non-standard procedures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Problems that cannot be resolved are reported to relevant persons. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant ETQA
    Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    Moderation Option:

    The moderation requirements of the relevant SETA's ETQA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Microwave equipment and its application
  • Safety precautions and safe working practices
  • Own responsibilities and accountabilities in the workplace
  • Planning of microwave link requirements
  • Client requirements regarding links
  • How to compile site inspection reports
  • Information that should be acquired when visiting a site
  • How to draw contour profiles
  • How to determine feasibility of microwave links
  • How to determine equipment budgets
  • Understand power requirements for links
  • Know link frequencies and their applications
  • Know microwave dishes and their applications
  • How to plan for emergencies
  • Know communication sites access requirements and their contact details
  • Understand microwave link interferences
  • Know Department of Civil Aviation Regulations
  • Know how and when links are optimised 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking to take remedial action. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others (clients and colleagues) as a member of a team, group or organisation to achieve the required end-result. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves in the work areas and their activities responsibly and effectively to complete tasks within deadlines. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect and analyse engineering information and critically evaluate the effect of it on work performance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively (with clients and colleagues), using visual and / or language skills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology (broadcast equipment) effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment (work areas and venues) and health of others (clients and colleagues). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding that the engineering world is a set of related systems and that problem-solving does not exist in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriate, fair, manageable, integrated into work or learning, valid, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48792   Certificate: Broadcast Engineering  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Facilitation Development (PTY) LTD 
    2. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    3. LS Multi Copter Projects and Services Pty Ltd 
    4. OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT 
    5. SUPREME ICT CONSULTANTS 
    6. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.