How do you become a Moto tech?

[PhillyPhoto]

What kind of training is required to work at a shop as a tech? I have a background in computers (although no degree, just a certificate), and it seems like most of the job field is going to a contracted workforce. I've worked on radios as a hobby on and off for close to a decade now and pretty familiar with most types of programming, but can't really put it down as professional work experience on a resume either. So I was wondering what the best way to get your foot in the door would be. I've very recently started getting into SDR, so I'm learning some more about the actual radio side of things, but have a lot more still to be learnt.

[escomm]

First step is to get a GROL

[Will]

First step is to get a GROL

Then lots of hard work at a MSS like I did way back. I was lucky to have a mentor and a background in radio communications.

Some of my friends also worked for one of the Motorola Service Stations, we had four in the area.

[Bill_G]

Or you can do like I did -

Get out of the Air Force, get a EE, land a good eng with a great company in the late 70's, get laid off, get another great job, get laid off, rinse, repeat, take a job at the local radio shop cuz you needed to feed the wife and kids while you were looking for that next great opportunity to get laid off by a big name company, and then eventually it just kind of grew on you. Simple really. Tick tock.

If you have something to offer, go knock on doors. People skills, paperwork, attention to detail, and the ability to learn are as important as they ever were. If you have that, you can do anything.

[KG4INW]

I worked on and earned an AS degree in electronics from a local technical college and utilized their career assistance department to help me look for opportunities. At first, they were able to get me an unpaid internship in the Virginia State Police radio shop, which was awesome but they weren't hiring.

There were plenty of opportunities here in the Richmond area but no one wanted me because I didn't have previous experience (at least not sufficient, as far as they were concerned). Well, I thought, how do I get experience?! It took a while after that before a local MSS finally asked me to come in for an interview which led to an entry level offer a few days later and I've been there for almost two years now. Basically, they were the only ones willing to take in someone new and train me. I enjoy it immensely, have learned a lot but still have a lot to learn.

I'll echo precisely what Bill_G said in his last few sentences. That ethic has treated me well so far.

ETA: A GROL is good but around here, they value CET and USMSS certifications more.

[MSS-Dave]

http://www.usmss.org/

A good source for MOST things Motorola shop. Look closely at the certifications page. You could get a head start on some of this. I am also figuring out (slowly) that IP radio is here and the stronger you are in networking skills the better chance you may have on the console / infrastructure side.

[Bill_G]

http://www.usmss.org/

A good source for MOST things Motorola shop. Look closely at the certifications page. You could get a head start on some of this. I am also figuring out (slowly) that IP radio is here and the stronger you are in networking skills the better chance you may have on the console / infrastructure side.

Amen to that. I have tried to stay at layers 1 & 2, but have to get into layer 3 more and more because the customer's IT manager is more of a PC maint tech than a network engineer. They don't know how to configure routers, set up VLANs, VPNs, QOS, or any of the stuff we are increasingly depending upon to carry our traffic.

I'm also seeing more and more systems installed by IT guys that do not understand cables, wire, grounding, lightning protection, pipe clamps, etc.

[PhillyPhoto]

Lots of good direction here, thanks everyone! Can anyone recommend any training material for any of these certs? Element 1 for the GROL looks like memorizing regulations, but it looks like Element 3 needs some actual studying and comprehending.

As far as networking goes, like I said I have a background in computers so I have a general understanding, but I might be able to get reimbursed for getting my Network+ cert at work, so that would be worth looking into.

[Batwings21]

IMHO the GROL is useless. When I went to study for that test it was all maritime radio BS mixed in with a little antenna theory. The CET WCM and USMSS cert's are the way to go, hands down.