Industry Training by ARCIA
Demand is high for engineers and critical communications professionals to continue to up-skill and develop their knowledge in sometimes specialist areas within the field. To meet this demand, ARCIA, in collaboration with industry experts, offers online and face-to-face short courses that deliver continued professional development for all. Capacity is limited, so we recommend you book early to avoid disappointment.
Training dates will be announced as they are finalised, based on the required number of students being booked to run each course, and will be posted to the events section of the ARCIA website, in addition to being shared with those who are booked or who have expressed an interest to book. If you would like to attend an ARCIA online short course, please complete the form below noting which course(s) you wish to attend, or to suggest an alternate course offering, and receive updates about course availability, booking and timings.
Currently available short courses:
Land Mobile Radio | Antenna and Transmission Line Fundamentals and Testing – Bookings Now Open!
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. Learn more about the course >>
Candidates must complete an assessment on the day with a 75% pass rate to obtain an ARCIA certificate of competence.
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Location: The National Wine Centre, Adelaide
- Date: 10 September 2025
If this location and date don’t suit you, please register your interest in this course below, and we will notify you when the next course is scheduled. - Time: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM
- Trainer: Chris Stevens, Managing Director, CartGIS
- Cost: ARCIA Member = $700 +GST; Non-member = $900 +GST
- Target audience: This course is designed for student (individual) new to the radio / critical communication industry. A knowledge of basic radio communications and frequency concepts would be advantageous.
- Course outline:
- Radio Antenna Systems
- Transmission Lines
- Antenna and Transmission Line Testing
- Practical
Half-Day Workshop at Comms Connect | Introduction to P25 Standards and Systems – Book now via the Comms Connect website!
This course introduces the student to the P25 digital land mobile radio standard. Modules include a high-level overview of the P25 digital radio standard as a transmission media, including the TIA standards, modulation, vocoders, and channel access. An introduction to the P25 standard will be covered, including Phase 1 & 2, conventional and trunked systems, encryption, system components (e.g., RFSS, ISSI, CSSI etc). The information is introductory in nature and designed for all audiences; however, a basic understanding of radio communications would be beneficial.
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Location: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Date: 14 October 2025
Time: 9.30 AM – 1.00 PM - Trainer: Chris Stevens | Managing Director CartGIS and Vice-President ARCIA
- Target Audience: This course is designed for students with basic knowledge of land mobile radio technology and systems. An understanding of how frequencies, antenna systems and transmitters and receivers work is preferred.
Half-Day Workshop at Comms Connect | Designing and Planning Microwave Networks – Book now via the Comms Connect website!
Whether you are new to microwave and planning fundamentals or looking for a refresher, this workshop will provide you with an up-to-date overview of microwave radio planning to assist you in planning and deployment efforts. This is an interactive session where you will also have the opportunity to ask questions on all things microwave during this live session.
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Location: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Date: 14 October 2025
Time: 1.30 PM – 5.00 PM - Trainer: Eddie Stephanou, Regional Technical Manager AU/NZ & Pacific, Cambium Networks
- Course outline:
- Microwave Fundamentals
- Transmission Line
- Pathloss
- Fresnel Zones
- Water and Flat Earth
- Important Equations
- Availability and Performance Objectives
- Industry Myths – Getting back on track
- Using planning tools to bring it all together
- Q&A
Introduction to Radio Communications – Bookings Now Open!
This online course introduces students to radio communication and associated technologies. Modules include an overview of radio service as a transmission media, how transmitters and receivers work, and an overview of wave propagation and radio antenna systems. Learn more about the course >>
- Delivery: Online
- Trainer: Chris Stevens, Managing Director, CartGIS
- Training duration: 5 x 2hr sessions (10hrs total)
- Date: 10 – 14 November, 2025 | Book Now!
If this date does not suit you, please express your interest below, and we’ll notify you when the next course is scheduled. - Cost: ARCIA Member = $1320 +GST; Non-member = $1650 +GST
- Target audience: The information is introductory and designed for all audiences. Students will acquire a basic understanding of radio communications theory. This course is designed for students (individuals) who are new to the radio/critical communication industry.
- Course outline:
- Introduction to Radio Communications
- Radio frequency
- Radio types and systems
- Radio antenna systems
- Transmission lines and feeders
- Filters and multi-coupling
- Tower and site
- Power systems
- Earthing
- Interference
- Data networks and linking
- Radio communications testing and equipment maintenance
- Standards and quality control
Introduction to Digital LMR Standards and Planning – Bookings Now Open!
This course introduces the student to the digital land mobile radio (LMR) standards and technology. Modules include an overview of digital radio standards as a transmission media including the different standards, modulation, and vocoders. Each of the respective digital standards will be investigated. Learn more about the course >>
- Delivery: Online
- Trainer: Chris Stevens, Managing Director, CartGIS
- Training duration: 4 x 2hr sessions (8hrs total)
- Date: 24-27 November 2025 | Book Now!
If this date does not suit you, please express your interest below, and we’ll notify you when the next course is scheduled. - Cost: ARCIA Member = $1180 +GST; Non-member = $1450 +GST
- Target audiences: The information is introductory and designed for all audiences, however, a basic understanding of radio communications would be beneficial. This course is designed for students (individuals) who are new to the radio/critical communication industry.
- Course Outline
- Introduction to Digital Land Mobile Radio (LMR)
- Digital radio types and systems
- APCO Project 25 (P25)
- Tetra
- Digital Mobile Radio (DMR)
- NXDN
- Digital Standard Comparison
Microwave Engineering Masterclass
In this course, participants will learn how to plan, design and operate radio networks. At the end of this course, you will understand the overall microwave market with an update on current and future developments, including how to apply the latest planning standards. Learn more about the course >>
- Delivery: Online
- Trainer: Trevor Manning, Director, Trevor Manning Global
- Training duration: 5 x 2.5hr sessions (12.5hrs total)
- Date: 24- 28 August 2026
- Cost: ARCIA Members = $1320 +GST; Non-member = $1650 +GST
- Target audience: Transmission design and planning engineers, Maintenance technicians and network operational staff, Microwave vendors and consultants, Managers and project managers who want an authoritative overview of microwave design and operation
- Course outline:
- An industry update on what’s new in microwave radio
- Fundamentals of microwave and mmWave
- Safety of microwave radio signals
- Planning considerations using Digital Terrain tools
- Practical considerations for site builds, including passive repeaters
- Site and link survey techniques
- Equipment characteristics, including modulation schemes and fading countermeasures
- Antennas and frequency planning
- Link design and reliability calculations from a real-world perspective