Hello Field Force!

Let’s talk skills. I know that most of you have your set of skills. How often do you update your skills? I know working in the field we have to be a jack of all trades and a master of some. We do have to master some of the skills we have to be recognized in the field. If you’re working on the transmitter or backhaul, you need to know how to troubleshoot. It matters! If you’re up in the air you need to know safety and steel, it matters.

Now is a new era for most of you in the wireless industry, just as the backhaul industry is finding out, fiber matters. I’m not talking about the fiber in your diet, I am talking about learning a new skill! You will need to learn to work on fiber if you haven’t already. This is something that most of the data guys and even some electricians have mastered. It is everywhere. It is coming into the shelters, and up on the tower. Get ready for it and learn to terminate it. This is a new skill that will make you more valuable. That is the key, to be more valuable not only to your company but in the industry.

In case you didn’t figure it out, the more you know the more valuable you are. There are 2 routes to go, be a master of something or a jack of all trades, both are valuable. But I am getting off the subject. I want to make sure that all of you know how important it is to learn to work with fiber. It is taking over in the business. Not only for the large Macro sites but when the small cells take over it will be there as well. Learn the skill, there are several VAR and manufacturers that will teach you, just look on the web or see what company provides the cables you’re installing. If possible get certified. Most manufacturers will have someone who can train you. You should learn it quick.

We all have our specialty skills, steel, RF, electronics, grounding, and fiber. It’s part of the landscape now. If you have been around for awhile you should know that we had to learn to terminate every kind of RF cable out there as well as all the grounding scenarios. This is something you had to learn. Well, add fiber terminations to that portfolio. A great resource to get started is YouTube,. Then, if possible, learn from a vendor or manufacturer. Use the right tools, and become good enough where you can do it on the tower without coming back to repair it. Go on Google and search “terminate fiber” and you will see several hits.

That’s it for today, I hope it helps you guys become the best Wireless Field Force possible. And remember, give me some feedback and some idea to write about. I am trying to help you guys.

Be safe and smart! Wade4wireless@gmail.com