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1B193 Career Guide

Air Force

1B193: Radio Frequency Transmission Systems Technician

Career transition guide for Air Force Radio Frequency Transmission Systems Technician (1B193)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1B193 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer

$65K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Vendor-specific certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)Fiber optic cabling and splicing

Electronics Engineering Technician

$72K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Associate's degree in Electronics TechnologyAdvanced troubleshooting methodologiesPrinted circuit board (PCB) repair

Network Engineer

$95K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

CCNA or equivalent networking certificationExperience with network monitoring toolsCloud networking knowledge (AWS, Azure)

Avionics Technician

$78K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenseAircraft-specific avionics trainingUnderstanding of aviation regulations

Wind Turbine Technician

$60K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Safety certifications (e.g., OSHA 10/30)Climbing and rescue trainingElectrical and mechanical troubleshooting of wind turbines

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1B193 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You build and maintain mental models of complex RF communication systems, understanding how different components interact and impact overall performance. You use these models to troubleshoot issues, predict potential failures, and optimize system configurations.

This ability to understand and visualize complex systems translates directly into fields that require analyzing interconnected processes and predicting outcomes based on various inputs and changes.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You're adept at maintaining functionality and restoring systems under duress, such as during equipment failure or jamming attempts. You can quickly diagnose problems, implement workarounds, and maintain communication even when things aren't working perfectly.

This skill is invaluable in any high-pressure environment where maintaining operations during unexpected disruptions is critical. Your ability to adapt and find solutions under pressure makes you a reliable asset.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict maintenance and operational procedures is second nature to you. You understand the importance of following protocols to ensure safety, accuracy, and system integrity.

Your meticulous adherence to procedures and regulations is highly valuable in industries where compliance is paramount. This discipline ensures consistency and minimizes errors.

Situational Awareness

You constantly monitor your environment, equipment performance, and potential threats to ensure optimal communication capabilities. This includes understanding signal strength, interference, and the impact of environmental factors.

This heightened awareness and ability to anticipate potential issues translate to proactive problem-solving and effective decision-making in various professional settings.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9086.00

You've been trained to maintain complex electronic systems in remote locations, often troubleshooting issues under pressure. This is very similar to the maintenance and repair of wind turbines, which also requires working with electrical, mechanical, and communication systems at heights and in varying weather conditions.

SCADA Systems Specialist

SOC 15-1299.00

You're skilled at configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting communication networks for remote systems. You've been working with wideband and satellite systems which are the backbone for large industrial control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. This makes you an ideal candidate to work with SCADA systems used in industries like utilities, oil and gas, and manufacturing.

Amateur Radio Sales and Support

SOC 41-2031.00

You possess an in-depth understanding of radio frequency communication, equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting. You can leverage this expertise to help amateur radio enthusiasts select equipment, resolve technical issues, and optimize their setups. Your experience in communication systems will be a significant asset.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Ground Radio Communications Systems Course, Sheppard AFB, TX

960 training hours24 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended in electronics technology

Topics Covered

  • RF Transmission Principles
  • Satellite Communications Theory and Operation
  • Cryptographic Equipment Maintenance
  • Antenna Systems Installation and Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting and Repair of RF Communication Systems
  • Spectrum Analyzer Operation
  • Preventive Maintenance Procedures
  • Network Connectivity and Management

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

CompTIA Network+70% covered

While the military training covers a significant portion of networking concepts, further study on current networking technologies, cloud networking, and network security best practices is recommended.

CompTIA Security+60% covered

The military training provides a solid foundation in security principles. Study up on the latest cybersecurity threats, vulnerability management, and incident response techniques to bridge the gap.

Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)50% covered

The military training offers hands-on experience with radio frequency (RF) wireless systems, but additional studies should include 802.11 technology, wireless security protocols, and troubleshooting wireless networks using advanced tools.

Recommended Next Certifications

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
AN/TSC-93E Tri-Band Super High Frequency (SHF) Tactical Satellite TerminalCommercial satellite communication terminals (e.g., Hughes, ViaSat) used for broadband internet and data transmission
AN/TRC-170 Tropospheric Scatter Microwave Radio TerminalLong-range microwave communication systems for point-to-point data transfer (e.g., utilities, remote telecom infrastructure)
Ground Multiband Multimission Radio (GMR)Software-defined radios (SDR) like those from Ettus Research or Rhode & Schwarz used in public safety and telecommunications
KG-84/94/95/194 series EncryptorsCommercial data encryption devices and software libraries (e.g., Thales, Gemalto, OpenSSL)
Spectrum Analyzers (e.g., Agilent/Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz)RF spectrum analyzers used in telecommunications, broadcast, and wireless industries (Keysight, Tektronix)
Power Meters and Signal Generators (e.g., Anritsu, IFR)RF power meters and signal generators used in electronics manufacturing and testing (e.g., Bird Technologies, Rohde & Schwarz)
Satellite Signal SimulatorsGNSS Simulators (e.g., Spirent, LabSat) are used for civilian GPS and satellite navigation testing

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