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The IWCE 2025 Conference Agenda is Live: Plan Your Journey

Get Certified!

IWCE is proud to partner with ETA® International (ETA) to offer unparalleled access to certification and training in specific technology areas. Accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC), ETA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) trade association that serves technology-related industries by providing accredited individual certifications per the ISO 17024 standard for certification bodies. ETA-certified professionals are working for many well-known companies like Motorola Solutions, Google, Disney, Verizon, and the United States Armed Forces.

Training Options

At IWCE 2025 you may choose from multi-day technical training options across the spectrum of wireless and related technologies. Registration includes access to IWCE's Exhibit Hall on Wednesday and Thursday plus IWCE keynote sessions, the highly anticipated Wednesday evening networking reception, lunch vouchers for each day of your training, the cost of the ETA certification exam and the opportunity to take the exam onsite at IWCE. You can also add an IWCE package to any training class to make the most out of your time in Las Vegas!  

 ETA Training courses must be purchased separately and are not part of an IWCE conference package. Pricing will be more onsite so REGISTER TODAY! 

Training Classes

Trainings offered at IWCE 2025  

  • DAS Technician Training (DAST) 

  • General Communications Technician Training 1 (GCT1) 

  • Practical Antenna Basics - Making Sense of RF Propagation Everyday Communication Systems (PAB) 

  • Radio Frequency Interference and Mitigation (RFIM) 

  • General Radio Operator License (GROL) (Elements 1 & 3) 

  • Line and Antenna Sweep Training (LAS) 

  • Microwave Fundamentals (MRT) 

  • Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa) 

For pricing, see our Pass & Pricing page. Full training course descriptions below.  

DAS Technician Training (DAST), a two-day course

Dates: Monday, 3/17 and Tuesday, 3/18 

Time: 9a.m. - 5p.m.  

Instructors: Ira Wiesenfeld, PE and CETms(RF), and Joseph Delio, CET, ms (RF), IWATSI

 

This Hands-on Training Hosted by ETA Focuses on the installation of Active and Passive Bi-Directional Amplifiers used in Today's Distributed Antenna Systems. This two-day course is for anyone interested in learning the fundamental theories, components, installation, and pre-optimization of in-building DAS. Each attendee will participate in a hands-on training lab concentrating on connector installation, a simple install, a simple antenna design, and how to identify cabling problems. Exposure to RF energy and related safety subjects will also be addressed. 

DISCUSSIONS INCLUDE:  

• Antenna Types • Mounting Techniques • Propagation • Gain and Losses • Decibels • Pattern Distortions • Return Loss • Distance-to-Fault • Range • Impedance Matching • Bandwidth • Efficiency • Power Levels • Types of BDAs - Active/Passive • Polarization • Transmission Line Installation • Fiber Optic Connectivity • Antenna Diversity • Splitters, Couplers and Tags • Lightening Protection • Isolation  

 

HANDS-ON EXERCISES INCLUDE:  

• Testing Fundamentals • Calibration • Spectrum Analyzers • Connectorization • Reflectometers • RF Wattmeters • Determining Problems • System Sweeps • Distance-to-Fault Measurements • Fiber Optic Test Equipment • Troubleshooting the Installation  

 

Certification: ETA International Distributed Antenna Systems (DASI)  

Certification Test: included in the price of the workshop  

General Communications Technician Training 1 (GCT1), a two-day course

Dates: Monday, 3/17 and Tuesday, 3/18 

Time: 9a.m. - 5p.m.  

Instructor: Chris Miller, Heartland Community College 

 

The General Communications Technician-Level 1 certification program introduces the attendee to basic elements of various communications concepts and technologies. This includes basic electronics, fundamentals of radio, tools, test equipment, power systems, cabling and installations, environmental systems, antennas, transmission lines, operating principles and details on radios and radio systems, serial data and IP networks, basics of fiber optic lines and systems, telephony, satellite communications, physical plant considerations, site procedures and safety practices. LMR communications, satellite, telephone, data, and computer technologies used in incident response and planned events. 

  

General Communications Technician-Level 1 trains technicians on the practices and procedures common to radio communication technicians. This course will help communications technicians work within the Incident Command System (ICS) organizational structure. It is intended for novice technicians or anyone that needs a basic technical understanding of communications systems. This course is ideal for federal, state, local, and tribal emergency response professionals and coordination/support personnel with communications backgrounds. Individuals who are responsible for managing a Strategic Technology Reserve (radio cache, mobile communications vehicle, or other deployable communications assets) are encouraged to attend. GCT1 is modeled after the US Department of Homeland Security's COM-T program. 

  

Certification: ETA International General Communications Technician-Level 1 (GTC1) 

Certification Test: included in the price of the workshop 

 

Practical Antenna Basics - Making Sense of RF Propagation Everyday Communication Systems (PAB), a two-day course

Dates: Monday, 3/17 and Tuesday, 3/18 

Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Instructor: Bill Bailey, ETA International 

  

In this course participants will be introduced to basic antenna theory. We will examine the fundamental principles of RF propagation and explore the antenna’s critical role in wireless communication systems. A major problem in any wireless communication system is the efficient transformation of internal circuit voltage and current into electromagnetic energy. Encoded and modulated with analog intelligence or digital data, electromagnetic radiation can then be propagated though space. The transformational complexity often results in an over-simplified explanation of an antenna as just a passive device with strange and magical abilities. Those attending this course will learn to dispel any mystical nature and develop a sound practical understanding of how antennas work. Topics addressed will include: the evolution of antenna theory (Maxwell’s equations, Faraday’s law, Ampere’s law, Marconi and Hertz); electrical to electromagnetic conversion (E and H field interaction, polarization, wave-fronts); characteristics of RF propagation (refraction, diffraction, fading, and travel path); half-wave dipole antenna development (effects of impedance, radiation and induction); antenna power ratios (dB’s and dBm’s); antenna performance (gain, directivity, reciprocity, radiation fields, beam-width, directionality); antenna feed lines (resonant and non-resonant); antenna design considerations (monopole antennas, antenna arrays, and electrical vs. physical length); specialized antennas (log-periodic, small-loop, folded di-pole, and slot antenna); microwave antennas (horn, parabolic reflector, lens and patch antennas); and common non-proprietary antenna installation, alignment, and maintenance practices. Upon successfully passing ETA’s antenna competency examination participants will be awarded ETA’s practical antenna basics (PAB) certification. 

  

Certification: ETA International Practical Antenna Basics (PAB) 

Certification Test: included in the price of the workshop 

Radio Frequency Interference and Mitigation (RFIM), a two-day course

Maximum attendance: 25 students 

Dates: Monday, 3/17 and Tuesday, 3/18 

Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Instructors: Tom Brinkoetter, Radio Test Site; Jay Thompson, Tactical RF 

  

This course will provide a background in the frequency spectrum and RF technology and review causes and sources of interference. Spectrum analyzers will be covered in detail along with software functions and tools to support interference hunting. Many interference hunting cases will be presented.Students will have hands-on time with a variety of modern commercial spectrum analyzers. A “Tiny SA” spectrum analyzer will be given to the students for use during the labs. 

  

The content will include:Basic RF Signal Theory | Frequency Spectrum | Decibels | Unlicensed vs. Licensed | Modulation | Radio Propagation | What is interference? | Sources of Interference | Interference Examples | Antennas | Spectrum Analyzers | Key specifications | Real Time vs. Swept | Spectrum Analyzer Measurements | Interference Hunting Tools | Field Measurements 

  

Certification: Radio Frequency Interference and Mitigation (RFIM) 

Certification Test: included in the price of the workshop 

General Radio Operator License (GROL) (Elements 1 & 3), a three-day course

Dates: Monday, 3/17 and Tuesday, 3/18 * Time:  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Dates: Wednesday, 3/19 * Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Instructor: Saleh Ahmed, Love Aviation

The FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) Course is an intensive, three-day, instructor-led in-person training designed for individuals seeking to obtain the prestigious GROL certification, essential for operating and maintaining radio equipment used in aviation, maritime, and land mobile services, as well as global fixed communication stations. This license is mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for many roles in telecommunications, broadcast engineering, and other technical fields. 

 This intensive course covers radio communication principles, FCC regulations, and radio systems maintenance, fully preparing participants to pass the FCC Element 1 and Element 3 exams. 

  

Course Objectives: 

  • Master the core concepts of radio communication systems, RF electronics, and signal propagation. 

  • Understand FCC regulations, equipment operation standards, and technical specifications. 

  • Develop hands-on skills to operate and maintain transmitters, receivers, and related equipment. 

  • Prepare for successful completion of the FCC Element 1 (Basic Radio Law and Operating Practice) and Element 3 (General Radiotelephone) exams. 

 

Certification: General Radiotelephone Operator (GROL) 

Certification cost: Included in the price of the workshop

Line and Antenna Sweep Training (LAS), a two-day course

Dates: Wednesday, 3/19 and Thursday, 3/20

Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Instructor: Jay Thompson, Tactical RF

REQUIRED: Students should bring their VNA, calibration kit, and a laptop for the manual.

Line and Antenna Sweep (LAS) testing has been with us for years but now test equipment size and cost have dropped dramatically. Handheld units now bring line sweeping into the field at a technician level. Carrier and equipment manufacturers develop installation Methods of Procedures to ensure every decibel of signal strength is maximized in the increasingly crowded RF spectrum. Line and antenna sweeping are critical tests for the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of antenna components and networks. The course is about moving beyond a simple wattmeter test when installing or maintaining any antenna system.

A review of decibels, Return Loss, and VSWR along with the standard tests used for LAS will be covered. Many examples will be presented, and hands-on exercises will be conducted to ensure students are prepared to better understand antenna systems. The ETA LAS certification test will be available upon completion of this course.

Certification: Line and Antenna Sweep (LAS)

Certification Cost: included in the price of the workshop

Microwave Fundamentals (MRT), a two-day course

Dates: Wednesday, 3/19 and Thursday, 3/20

Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Instructor: Bill Bailey, ETA International

With the explosion of new digital applications in today’s communication networks microwave radio offers many advantages. They are capable of carrying large amounts of information (voice, video, and data); they require smaller antennas than other RF communication bands; microwaves signal easily propagate around objects; and microwave equipment has proven very reliable. The microwave spectrum is generally described as running between 500 MHz and 300 GHz. At these frequencies, wavelengths become relatively short, and measure between 1 cm and 60 cm in length. Microwave systems have proven capable of effectively processing and transmitting both analog and digital intelligence. Microwave technicians, therefore, must be equally versed in frequency modulation (FM) and digital modulation techniques. In this course we will take a system approach in our examination and analysis of microwave radio communication. Participants will be exposed to: RF safety fundamentals; RF spectrum and frequency concepts; microwave radio system configurations; RF modulation schemes (CW, AM, FM,& PW); digital microwave coding/decoding techniques; principles of Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) and Phase Shift Keying (QPSK); microwave radio equipment (TX & RX block diagrams, microwave/digital interfaces, performance indicators, bit error rates (BIT), microwave timing and synchronization schemes, and radio protection configurations); microwave propagation characteristics (line-of-sight restrictions, electromagnetic waves, path-related anomalies, and Fresnel zone clearance); microwave antenna systems; and common microwave test equipment and procedures. Upon successfully passing ETA’s microwave radio technician (MRT) examination participants will be awarded ETA certification.

 

Certification: Microwave Radio Technician (MRT)

Certification Cost: included in the price of the workshop

Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa), a two-day course

Dates: Wednesday, 3/19 and Thursday, 3/20

Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Instructor: Chris Miller, Heartland Community College

 

The Associate certification is designed for technicians who have less than two years of experience or trade school training for electronics technicians. Topics covered include: DC Electronics, AC Electronics, Components & Semiconductors, Analog Circuits, Re-cabling & Telecommunications, Digital Circuits & Microprocessors, Troubleshooting, Test Equipment & Repair, Shop & Service Management. Every Certified Electronics Technician (CET) candidate must pass the Associate exam before they can qualify to sit for the full Journeyman certification. Once a technician has completed the four-year term, they should specialize and take a Journeyman option. It is strongly encouraged to have CETa study guide for this training. A CETa study guide can be purchased at eta-i.org.

 

Certification: ETA International Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa)

Certification Test: included in the price of the workshop

Testing Fees Only

DAS Technician Training (DAST) $105

General Communications Technician Training 1 (GCT1) $105

Practical Antenna Basics - Making Sense of RF Propagation Everyday Communication Systems (PAB) $105

General Radio Operator License (GROL) $50

Radio Frequency Interference and Mitigation (RFIM) $105

Line and Antenna Sweep Training (LAS) $105

Microwave Fundamentals (MRT) $105

Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa)  $65

For more information about specific course materials, visit ETAi.org.

Questions? Contact [email protected].