Radio Frequency Transmissions and Electromagnetic Activities (EMA)

What does the Radio Frequency Transmissions and Electromagnetic Activities (EMA) career field do?

Radio Frequency (RF) Transmissions and Electromagnetic Activities (EMA) involve the use of electromagnetic energy to support a wide range of military and civilian operations. An RF Technician is responsible for installing, integrating, maintaining, and repairing RF communication equipment. They work with a variety of RF systems, including radio, and cellular communication networks, and specialize in propagation techniques such as Line of Sight, HF, SATCOM, and Troposcatter in both fixed and tactical environments. Spectrum Operations personnel are responsible for managing and coordinating the use of the electromagnetic spectrum in a particular geographic area. They analyze requirements and requests for frequencies, and work to ensure that different systems and devices can operate without interfering with each other. This may involve coordinating with other spectrum users, such as government agencies or commercial entities, and making recommendations for the allocation of frequencies. Spectrum Operations Technicians must have a deep understanding of wireless communications systems and the principles of electromagnetism, as well as knowledge of relevant regulations and standards. They may also be involved in the development of new spectrum-dependent technologies and applications. Together, RF and EMA technicians play a critical role in ensuring the effective and secure use of the electromagnetic spectrum in a variety of contexts. DCWF work roles associated with this specialty will be listed in the Career Field Education and Training Plan (CFETP).

Duties and responsibilities

RF Transmissions (1D7X2R)

• Performs/supervises wireless radio and satellite systems and equipment maintenance activities. Oversees work in progress and reviews completed repairs for sound maintenance practices. Establishes requirements for maintenance equipment, support equipment, tools, and spare parts. Requisitions, accounts for, and turns in supplies and material. Interprets inspection findings and determines adequacy of corrective action. Reviews and ensures compliance with maintenance management publications and procedures. Identifies maintenance problem areas and recommends corrective action. Recommends methods to improve equipment performance and maintenance procedures. Evaluates justification and practicability of proposed modifications. Develops and enforces safety standards for ground RF system maintenance activities
• Inspects wireless radio/satellite communications activities. Determines equipment operational status. Serves on teams to evaluate transmission systems activities. Interprets inspection findings submitted by other inspecting activities and initiates corrective action. Determines adequacy of corrective action. Checks installed and repaired components for compliance with technical publications.
• Resolves installation, repair, overhaul, and modification problems associated with communications equipment. Employs orbiting communication satellite, line-of-sight, and tropospheric scatter techniques. Installs, maintains, reconstitutes, removes, and modifies coaxial cabling, waveguide and antenna systems. Conducts tests to restore and maintain systems. Uses anti-jam equipment and techniques to neutralize effects of communication jamming. Uses layout drawings, schematics, and pictorial diagrams to solve maintenance problems. Analyzes construction and operating characteristics of equipment to determine source of malfunction. Performs intricate alignment and calibration procedures to ensure maximum operating efficiency. Determines repair procedures necessary to correct defective equipment.
• Installs ground radio, satellite, and telemetry communications equipment. Consults layout drawings to ensure equipment is properly positioned. Checks equipment for serviceability prior to installation. Assembles, connects, secures, and interconnects components such as transmitters, power supplies, and antenna assemblies. Tests installed equipment for proper assembly of components and compliance with technical orders. Places in operation and tunes, adjusts, and aligns components to obtain maximum operating efficiency. Identifies and locates Radio Frequency interference sources.
• Deploys and activates mobile and transportable transmission equipment. Refers to plans and equipment specifications to conduct site and equipment surveys and establishes equipment systems interface. Unpacks, inspects, and positions communications equipment; erects antennas; and interconnects communications facilities.
• Performs preventive maintenance on communications systems and related equipment. Inspects equipment at specified intervals to determine operational status. Replaces defective components. Performs operational checks. Updates maintenance data collection records and systems to document actions completed.
• Repairs, overhauls, and modifies communications and related equipment. Isolates malfunctions using system checking procedures, required test equipment, analyzing voltage and waveform measurements, schematic diagrams, and equipment operating characteristics. Repairs equipment, including transmitters, receivers, transceivers, and related equipment. Tunes and adjusts components. Adjusts, aligns, and calibrates equipment for maximum operating efficiency. Fabricates and connects various types of antenna systems and transmission lines. Understands antenna fundamentals, including antenna theory and principles of rotators, amplifiers and control cables. Tests repaired components using bench mockups and related test equipment.
• Maintains inspection and maintenance records to include organizational device accounts. Posts entries on maintenance and inspection records. Records meter readings and other pertinent data in equipment logs. Completes maintenance data collection forms.
• Performs installation spectrum management duties as required. Engineers, nominates, assigns, and proactively ensures access to frequencies that support communications and operational requirements. Coordinates frequency needs with Federal, military, civil, and international spectrum management agencies. Secures operating authority and ensures the least possible interference is caused or received by Air Force electromagnetic systems. Drafts and reviews spectrum interference reports. Resolves electromagnetic interference problems with the use of spectrum analysis software, and spectrum scanning equipment.
• As part of the Warfighter Communications career field, performs IT project management duties to include manage, supervise, and perform planning and implementation activities. Manages implementation and project installation and ensures architecture, configuration, and integration conformity. Develops, plans, and integrates base communications systems. Serves as advisor at meetings for facility design, military construction programs and minor construction planning. Evaluates base comprehensive plan and civil engineering projects. Monitors the status of cyber or communications-related base civil engineer work requests. Performs mission review with customers. Controls, manages, and monitors project milestones and funding from inception to completion. Determines adequacy and correctness of project packages and amendments. Monitors project status and completion actions. Manages and maintains system installation records, files, and indexes. Evaluates contracts, wartime, support, contingency and exercise plans to determine impact on manpower, equipment, and systems. [DCWF Code-802] Spectrum Operations (1D7X2F): Engineers, nominates, assigns, and proactively ensures access to frequencies that support communications and operational requirements. Coordinates frequency needs with Federal, military, civil, and international spectrum management agencies. Secures operating authority and ensures the least possible interference is caused or received by electromagnetic systems. Drafts and reviews spectrum interference reports. Resolves electromagnetic interference problems with the use of spectrum analysis software, and spectrum scanning equipment. Spectrum Operations personnel are aligned to work roles in the Department of Defense Electromagnetic Workforce Framework (DEWF). Determines risk assessment and provides sound advice to commanders and combatant commanders on mission impacts and collateral damage. Collaborates with signals intelligence specialists in the identification, monitoring, and exploitation of emissions, to better control the electromagnetic battlespace. Analyzes radio frequency spectrum requirements and determines compatibility with other users considering transmitter and receiver specifications, antenna data, emission characteristics, and modes of radio wave propagation. Examines radio link deficiencies and recommends corrective action to improve system performance. Recommends solutions to electromagnetic compatibility problems. Manages and updates frequency records in a classified database shared by the joint spectrum community to provide a global understanding of the spectrum environment. Provides guidance on the spectrum certification process for electromagnetic spectrum dependent equipment planned for introduction into the Air Force inventory, and for modifications to existing equipment. Reviews planning and program documents to determine whether spectrum support is required. Prepares frequency annexes for contingency and operations plans. Examines spectrum allocation data and frequency assignment records to ascertain suitability of specific equipment planned for deployment. Evaluates and assists electromagnetic spectrum management activities. Determines if spectrum support is adequate and recommends changes. Educates customers on optimal and proper use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Plans for current and future electromagnetic spectrum needs. Identifies and locates Radio Frequency interference sources using spectrum analysis software, and spectrum scanning equipment.

Specialty qualifications

RF Transmissions (1D7X2R):

Knowledge. This specialty requires knowledge of electricity and radio theory modulation techniques, antenna theory, encryption techniques, traditional telecommunication signal flow, repeaters, and modes of propagation. Specialized mission sets may require additional knowledge of networking fundamentals to include configure and maintaining switches, routers, and servers in addition to system administrator responsibilities. A thorough understanding of cybersecurity principles should also be incorporated.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or general educational development equivalency is mandatory. Additional courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are desirable. Any computing or network commercial certification is desirable.

Training. For award of the AFSC 1D732R, completion of the RF Transmissions initial skills course is mandatory.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated.

• 1D752R. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1D732R. Also, experience in functions such as testing, tuning, adjusting, maintaining, or repairing ground RF communications and related equipment, and using specialized test equipment.
• 1D772R. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1D752R. Also, experience in functions such as sitting, installing, repairing, overhauling, or modifying ground RF equipment, and using test equipment.
• Other: The following are mandatory as indicated.
• For entry into this specialty:
• Normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For award and retention of this AFSC:
• Must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and DAFMAN17-1301, Computer Security.
• Specialty requires routine access to Secret material or similar environment.
• For award and retention of AFSCs 1D752R/72R:
• Completion of a current Tier 3 (T3) background investigation according to AFMAN16-1405, Personnel Security Program Management.
• NOTE: Award of the 3-skill level without a completed investigation is authorized provided minimum of interim Tier 3 (Secret) clearance has been granted according to DoDM 5200.01 – AFMAN16-1405.
• Spectrum Operations (1D7X2F):
• Knowledge: This specialty requires knowledge of EMS propagation factors, including effects of antenna design, power, emission type, frequency and effects of terrain.
• National, International, and military regulations governing use of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Education: For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or general educational development equivalency is mandatory. Additional courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are desirable. Any computing or network commercial certification is desirable.
• Training: The following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:
• For award of the AFSC 1D732F, completion of the Spectrum Operations initial skills course is mandatory.
• Experience: The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated.
• 1D752F. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1D732F. Also, experience performing spectrum management engineering, selection, negotiation, and resolution of interference problems
• 1D772F. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1D752F. Also, increased experience performing and/or supervising personnel in problem solving, electromagnetic spectrum management, engineering, selection and negotiation techniques, and resolution of interference problems. Possesses a good understanding of offensive spectrum operating environments and is able to advise commanders/stakeholders on risk issues during these offensive activities.
• Other: The following are mandatory as indicated.
• For entry into this specialty
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For award and retention of this AFSC.
• Must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and DAFMAN17-1301, Computer Security.
• Specialty requires routine access to Tier 5 (T5) information, systems, or similar classified environments
• When required for a current or future assignment, must successfully complete and pass a Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph test.
• Completion of a background investigation according to DoDM 5200.01 - DAFMAN 16-1405, Personnel Security Program Management, is mandatory.
• Must maintain & sustain highest security clearance level received up to Top Secret (Tier 5) or based on current position requirements.
• Must obtain or meet DoD Cyber Workforce qualifications based on approved cyberspace requirements applicable for cyberspace tasks required for any position held IAW DoDM 8140.03, Cyberspace Workforce Qualification and Management Program, and DAFMAN 17-1305, DAF Cyberspace Workforce Management Program.
• NOTE: Award of the 3-skill level without a completed investigation is authorized provided minimum of interim Tier 5 (Top-Secret) clearance has been granted according to DoDM 5200.01 - AFMAN 16-1405

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $103,590–$103,590 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Information Security Analysts: $103,590