The profession of radio mechanics is living out its day. Radio receivers, tape recorders, tube TVs and TV sets with resistors are becoming a thing of the past. Now all this equipment almost does not require repair, spoiled receivers are replaced with new ones, if something is replaced in them, then immediately with whole blocks and systems.
Rarely does anyone today pore over a disassembled TV with a soldering iron in hand. There are already few specialists who understand the interlacing of electrical circuits, wires, resistances, resistors and transistors. Although there is still some demand for the repair of antediluvian technology. People of the older generation do not want to part with their old "Speedols" and "Records" for anything, saving their lives to the last. And the old masters of radio mechanics are still working.
Yesterday - a mechanic, today - an engineer
Today the profession of radio mechanics is experiencing a new birth and has a different name - communications engineer. If earlier it was enough for a future radio mechanic to graduate from a vocational school, or even just courses, then in order to become a communications engineer, it is necessary to obtain a diploma from a higher educational institution. In the modern labor market, communications engineers are in steady demand, which is increasing from year to year, although there are a lot of specialists graduating.
This is due to the rapid development of radio engineering and telecommunication systems. Humanity's need for information and reliable communications is truly limitless. The latter are becoming more and more high-tech, based on the latest methods of communication and broadcasting. Even a small enterprise today uses a mini-automatic telephone exchange, IP-telephony, and a variety of office equipment. Manufactures, institutions, departments are united by extensive communication networks. This is the Internet, a system of local networks, satellite dishes, cellular and wired communications. All this complex economy and equipment needs proper installation, operation and timely repair. This work is performed by a person whose profession was called a radio mechanic a decade and a half ago. Naturally, the complexity of the modern work of a radio mechanic, and now a communications engineer, is orders of magnitude higher.
Great opportunities for this profession open up in the field of instrumentation - inspection, repair and control of measuring instruments. Transport enterprises are especially in need of communication engineers. Railways, river and sea transport, and especially aviation, are equipped with more and more sophisticated communication, radio and telecommunication systems every year. To service them, highly qualified specialists are required. They are in great demand now in companies that provide Internet services and cellular telephony.
Strengthen the country's defenses
In connection with the technical re-equipment of the armed forces, the profession of radio mechanics received a new impetus for its development in the army and navy. Very high requirements are now imposed on such specialists. They must understand the principles of operation of radio-electronic equipment, be able to tune its blocks and assemblies, be familiar with the method of tuning and fixing signals transmitted by navigation and identification equipment. A radio mechanic must be able to read complex electronic circuits and understand the structure and function of blocks and devices of equipment. This specialist must be proficient in the methods of soldering connections and radio electronics units, be able to restore their anti-corrosion and paint coatings, possess the skills of radar, control of electrical and radio engineering.
