Aerial and satellite installers fit and repair television aerials, radio aerials and satellite dishes, and connect them to receiving equipment in homes or commercial premises. They may also set up a full range of digital home technology, such as broadband services.
The Work
You could be:
deciding on a suitable aerial or satellite dish and discussing the best position for it with the customer
working at heights using ladders and roof ladders
testing the strength of the broadcast signal with a signal meter
securely fixing equipment and running a connecting cable to the receiving system
repairing damage caused by bad weather
adding new signal reception points in buildings
installing set top boxes for TV services and setting up the system
connecting or upgrading digital receiver equipment.
Pay
The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:
where you work
the size of the company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.
Starting salaries for aerial and satellite installers can range from £16,000 to £22,000 a year. With experience this can rise to between £30,000 and £37,000 a year. You can earn extra through bonus and overtime payments. You might earn commission from selling other products to customers.
Conditions
You would have to spend a lot of time working on rooftops, requiring you to be competent in working safely at heights.
You would work outdoors in all weather conditions.
You will have to travel long distances.
Hours of work may vary and could include evenings and weekends. You might complete up to 8 installations a day.
You would have to wear and be competent in the use of personal protective equipment, such as harnesses and hard hats.
You do not always need formal qualifications, but some employers prefer English, Maths and a science or technological subject at National 4 or 5.
You usually need to have a driving licence.
You need good general health and fitness for this job.
Certain colour vision conditions may affect entry to careers in this branch of engineering.
As you will work in peoples' homes, you may require a satisfactory criminal records check to show you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details.
Some aerial and satellite installers just deal with external aerials. Some deal with the full range of digital home technology, such as satellite or cable TV receivers and broadband routers. Some work for specialist electronic installation firms.