Join us in Perth for a face-to-face training course covering Land Mobile Radio, Antenna and Transmission Line Fundamentals, and Testing. This hands-on course is ideal for anyone working with or around radio communications systems, providing a solid foundation in LMR principles, antenna behaviour, transmission line performance, and practical testing techniques.

Join us in Perth at The Aloft Perth Hotel in Rivervale on Wednesday, 25 March, for a day of hands-on training.

This course introduces the student to land mobile radio base station antenna fundamentals. Modules include land mobile radio antenna systems and transmission line theory. Students will acquire theory and practical understanding of setup, calibration of antenna test units and how to interpret results.

This course is designed for students (individuals) new to the radio / critical communication industry. A knowledge of basic radio communications and frequency concepts would be advantageous.

Candidates must complete an assessment on the day with a 75% pass rate to obtain an ARCIA certificate of competence.

Sign up to become an ARCIA Member and save $$$ on every ticket purchased.

Date: Wednesday, 25 March 2026
Time: 9:00 am- 5:00 pm (AWST)
Trainer: Chris Stevens, CartGIS
Cost: ARCIA Member = $960 +GST; Non-member = $1200 +GST
Venue: Aloft Perth Hotel, Rivervale
Address: 27 Rowe Avenue, Rivervale, Australia

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Course Outline

Radio Antenna Systems

What is an antenna
How antennas work
Antenna Types
Antenna radiation patterns
Antenna Gain
ERP and EIRP and calculations
Antenna Characteristics (Bandwidth, front-to-back, Sidelobes, nulls etc)
Antenna Polarisation
Antenna Resonance
Common Antenna Configuration

Transmission Lines

What is a transmission line?
Skin effect
Attenuation
Return Loss and VSWR
Transmission line characteristics (bend radius, power, ratings etc.)

Antenna and Transmission Line Testing

Understanding an Antenna Test Unit
Test unit set up and calibration
Return Loss / SWR Test Set Up
Interpreting Return Loss / SWR Test
Distance to Fault Test Set Up
Interpreting Distance to Fault Test

Practical

Set up Antenna Test Unit for use, including
- Ports identification
- Calibration
- Frequency limits
- Markers
- Cable Type
- Velocity
- Distance Limits
- Frequencies
Test VSWR / Return Loss
- Using multiple antennas and different feeders
- Interpret results
Test Distance to Fault
- Using multiple antennas and different feeders
- Interpret results

More information on the conference can be found on ARCIA's website >>

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Contact the host of ARCIA Land Mobile Radio: Antenna and Transmission Line Fundamentals and Testing - Perth 25 March 2026