In this blog, let’s take a look into a day in the life of our Wireless Engineer Manager, more specifically, what a typical day looks like onsite before the implementation of a wireless network is commenced.
Wireless Engineers are responsible for a range of works, such as:
- Creating or updating Wireless network designs
- Testing Wireless networks, installations of wireless equipment
- Validating Wireless networks
- Troubleshooting or remediation work
- Auditing network infrastructure
- Calibrating location services over Wi-Fi
- Radio Frequency tuning
- Spectrum analysis, and baseline testing.. to name a few!
In this blog, we're going to visit a shipping container terminal to conduct a Pre-Deployment Survey!
Site Visit: Planning
It’s an early start for me this morning rising before the sun at 5:00am. This is to allow enough time for me to ensure I pack all the required equipment and don’t forget anything!
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First, I will ensure my laptop bag is packed with all the required equipment such as a laptop, iPad, Ekahau Sidekick and cables (USB A – Micro USB or USB C – USB C), measuring devices (distance and angle), console cable in case AP configuration needs to change.
Don't forget an additional power bank to ensure I have enough battery power for the laptop or iPad, and an assortment of adapters and other cables just in case!
After checking the equipment it’s time to get some breakfast from the hotel ground floor café and a much-needed coffee before I pack the car and hit the road!
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Site Attendance: Begin Work
It's 6:30 am, and I've arrived safely onsite. Before entering the terminal, we must wear all 
PPE and be escorted at all times.
The goal is to gather data at heights for the wireless network servicing tall vehicles in the terminal.
Finding an available Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) feels like a mission for Ethan Hunt!
Once located, I use a radio to communicate with the driver and climb to the top of the cabin to conduct wireless testing near the antenna.
This survey differs from the traditional method due to terminal restrictions, so I validate the existing wireless equipment to understand its performance. After troubleshooting location accuracy on the moving RTG, I switch to traditional methods and start capturing data.
Completing a run up and down the containers, I check the data for accuracy. If needed, I'll run another test. Once done, I inform the driver, descend the stairs, and move to the next RTG.
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Rubber Tyre Gantry's…
Now its time to repeat the process with as many RTG’s as possible, this is to get an idea of how 
the wireless network is operating in different areas of the terminal, and to see if there are any areas of concern (low primary coverage or interference) when it comes time to updating the wireless network design.
In total 5 x RTGs were surveyed across the terminal, that means climbing roughly 20 x flights of steep stairs and ladders (all whilst carrying a laptop and sidekick!), that’s quite a workout I must say!
Now that the site work has been completed for the day, it is now time to sign out and organise tomorrow's start time for the audit works, then begin the journey back to the hotel.
Before attending site, my fear of heights was certainly present yet after a number of RTGs that fear was slowly diminishing and would continue to do so over the coming days as I would be auditing the network infrastructure which included going up the super small and intimate elevators to the top of the quay cranes… very scary indeed, especially on a windy day!
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Day in the Life of a Wireless Engineer: Summary
Hopefully this blog has provided some insights into what a typical day for a Wireless Engineer looks like. .png?width=145&height=193&name=image%20(16).png)
Many different types of works are conducted, across many different industries which is continually evolving to keep us wireless engineers on our toes!
I thoroughly enjoy the work I conduct and the people I work with.
Looking forward to future of wireless technologies and how they will shape and impact the globe.
Very excited and cannot wait until the next 700 MHz of the 6 GHz spectrum is available in Australia, which will then enable us wireless network engineers to utilise the entire 6 GHz spectrum, to utilise in high density wireless deployments!
Interested in a role with IPTel Solutions, or need help with an RF Survey? Drop us a line here.
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