Remote HF​/MW Radio Monitoring Specialist

Position Summary

The Remote HF/MW Radio Monitoring Specialist monitors international shortwave and medium-wave radio broadcasts for signal quality, coverage, interference, and transmission irregularities. The specialist operates professional radio receivers and software-defined radio equipment, evaluates reception conditions, records technical observations, and prepares monitoring and propagation-analysis reports. This is a remote, part-time position that requires approximately five hours per week, with additional availability for urgent monitoring assignments and addressing broadcast irregularities.

• Monitor assigned shortwave and medium-wave broadcasts.
• Operate professional HF/MW receivers, software-defined radios, antennas, and monitoring software.
• Access and use authorized remote-monitoring systems.
• Evaluate signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, audio quality, distortion, fading, interference, frequency accuracy, and coverage.
• Assign Signal, Distortion, and Overall Quality ratings.
• Identify transmission outages, off-air conditions, poor audio, frequency discrepancies, intentional jamming, and other interference.
• Analyze seasonal, daytime, and nighttime propagation conditions.
• Recommend frequency, schedule, and coverage adjustments.
• Record monitoring sessions and maintain organized technical records.
• Prepare accurate monthly monitoring reports.
• Report significant broadcast irregularities within 24 hours.
• Prepare propagation, schedule, coverage, and technical-analysis reports when requested.
  
  Notify management of equipment, internet, or monitoring-system interruptions.
• Protect system credentials, recordings, reports, and Government information.
• Maintain assigned equipment in operational condition.
• Coordinate with the project manager and Government representative.

• Practical knowledge of shortwave, HF, and medium-wave broadcasting.
• Understanding of radio-wave propagation and the ionosphere.
• Experience operating professional receivers or software-defined radios.
• Ability to interpret spectrum and waterfall displays.
• Ability to identify interference, fading, distortion, jamming, and frequency errors.
• Experience with monitoring and recording software such as SDR Console, HDSDR, Dream DRM Decoder, Spectrum Lab, or equivalent applications.
• Strong technical writing and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet short reporting deadlines.
• Reliable broadband internet and a suitable remote monitoring location.
• Ability to protect sensitive login credentials and technical information.
• Availability for occasional urgent or special-event monitoring.

• Previous experience monitoring international broadcasts.
• Experience supporting a government broadcaster, telecommunications organization, or spectrum-management program.
• Familiarity with Digital Radio Mondiale.
• Experience with HF propagation and frequency-planning tools.
• Familiarity with USAGM broadcasting operations or remote monitoring systems.
• Relevant amateur-radio, broadcast-engineering, telecommunications, or spectrum-monitoring experience.
• Previous federal-contracting experience.

• Professional HF/MW receiver
• Software-defined radio receiver
• Suitable HF/MW receiving antenna
• Dedicated computer
• Audio-recording capability
• Secure data storage
• Monitoring and spectrum-analysis software
• Reliable internet service
• Backup power and reasonable equipment redundancy

• Remote work from an approved residence
• Approximately five scheduled hours per week
• Additional responsiveness for urgent assignments
• Contractor or company-provided equipment
• Background screening or Government system-access approval may be required

The specialist reports to the Project Manager or Contract Program Manager and coordinates technical deliverables with the designated Government Contracting Officer’s Representative.