Alan Charman Email & Phone Number

Cardiff, Gb

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

Looking after numerous systems for BBC Wales including our DHD sound desks, dira! audio, edit and playout System, Bionic Director radio visualisation system and systems supporting IPTV and digital signage. I also plan, install and manage the IP networks and IT for several of BBC Wales' larger OB's including the National Eisteddfod, Royal Welsh Show and Urdd Eisteddfod.

Cardiff, United Kingdom

During my time at BBC Wales I have gained my certification under the Cisco CCNA™ program and am working with broadcast IP and telephony networks in preparation for the move to BBC Wales' new building in Central Square, Cardiff, as well as general Broadcast Support. This support includes maintaining and repairing equipment as well as handling IT related faults.From the end of 2018 my main activities have been project work relating to the integration of new Radio and Telephony systems as well as the new SMPTE 2110 Live Core that will be in place for Central Square. This has involved FAT and TAT testing for the equipment, running POC's for the systems and receiving ongoing engineering training. I helped to configure and maintain the Mitel PBX system and its integration to the Radio phone-in system Bionic Studio using SIP trunks and Telos VX engines.I also work on the Royal Welsh and National Eisteddfod OB's rigging and maintaining the production and broadcast IP networks, as well as providing general broadcast support to the production for the duration.I have also received training from Cisco's IP Fabric for Media course as well as attending training courses for Scisys Dira! Administration, DHD desk configuration and maintenance, SSL desk configuration and maintenance and Grass Valleys Live Core Technologies configuration and maintenance course.

Mediacity Uk

I undertook a BEng in Broadcast Engineering jointly awarded by The University of Salford and Birmingham City University as part of my apprenticeship with the BBC.At the University I studied the following modules:First Year:Programming (Java)Audio & Video SystemsCircuits, Signals and SystemsDigital and Microprocessor Electronics Cisco CCNA Networking Course (BCU)Second Year:Databases and Data MiningPower and Control SystemsAntennas, Propagation, RF and Optical ComponentsAudio and Video Coding, Processing and EditingCisco CCNA Networking Course (BCU)Third:Digital Communications - TV and RadioSystems IntegrationNetwork Quality of Service and VoIP (BCU)Computer Graphics using C/OpenGL and C++/OpenSceneGraphAs well as my studies at University I undertook work placements with the BBC and its partners.

Worked alongside experienced Technical Coordinators maintaining and preparing production equipment for the various productions at the BBC including Blue Peter and Newsround. Gained experience with many cameras including the Canon XF305, XF105, C300 and Sony PMW-500. Other kit I became familiar with included various Radio Microphones, Teradek wireless video hardware and TV Logic Broadcast monitors. I gained experience in carrying out repairs on some of this kit including the Canon XF305 and Sennheiser 2000 series radio microphones.

Undertook a placement with Audio & Music Operations at the BBC in Salford. I worked on various programmes, including Radio 4's You & Yours and the Marc Riley show on BBC 6Music. Under the supervision of experienced Studio Managers (SM's) I was responsible for tasks such as rigging mics and other studio equipment for live bands on 6Music and editing tapes and audio packages for Radio 4's You & Yours programmes. At times also took a more operational role by setting up ISDN lines and outside sources for these programmes while on air. I have also been out on some outside broadcasts during my time here. The first of these outside broadcasts was at a church in Didsbury for the Daily Service on Radio 4 and mostly involved setting up microphones for the purpose of broadcasting a choir live - the mixing desk and other equipment is semi-permanently installed at the location. The second OB was more involved - this was at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral for Choral Evensong on Radio 3. The radio OB truck Sound 7 was driven to the location and I followed in a VSAT van. I was required to, again, set up the microphones appropriately to capture the choir, organ and also the general 'space' of the Cathedral. I then assisted in setting up 3 lines back to the BBC Master Control Room - these lines were 1 feed sent over the 4G mobile network, 1 over ISDN and a third using the VSAT truck.

Salford

While on placement with the Projects and Solution Design department at the BBC in Salford I undertook the following tasks:Solution Design:I was involved in organizing a behind-the-scenes shoot of an outside broadcast at the Principality Stadium in Wales. This involves creating an equipment list which includes Go Pro cameras, OSMO cameras and all the necessary infrastructure to power, control and monitor them during the recording. We were asked to be as unobtrusive as possible to further planning is required to ensure this. I was also involved in setting up and maintaining the equipment being used for the shoot.Projects North:Most of my time on placement was spent with the Projects department, this is an area I am looking to work within at the end of my apprenticeship. Creating an AutoCAD drawing, detailing the dimensions and location of new Krone frames was one of the projects I was involved in. Having never used AutoCAD before this was a huge learning curve as the drawing had to fit in with other BBC drawings. I had to physically take measurements, use common sense and take advice from senior project engineers in order to plan where it should best be placed. I believe this Krone frame has now been installed, aided with the drawing I created. I was also involved in the install of a new set monitor stack at the BBC. I was working alongside the Principal Wiring Technician, who tasked me with cutting, terminating and running large amounts of cable underneath the stack, this was HDMI cable, coax (BNC) and Cat6 ethernet. This took up the last week of my placement with projects and was very beneficial to my learning. I had to make sure the working environment was safe for us and other staff, read and understand large wiring schedules and also various techniques to make the job of wiring technician much easier.

Responded to calls regarding technical problems from around the BBC buildings. This could be anything from a broken TV to broadcast critical systems requiring immediate attention. Responsible for carrying out repairs on equipment including headphones, microphones and speakers. Organised and added to the asset database numerous new camera kits for the technology stores.

Winter Hill, Horwich

As part of the BBC Broadcast Engineering Apprenticeship I undertook a three month placement at Arqiva. I was based at their Winter Hill transmitting station and worked alongside experienced engineers maintaining various DTV, Radio and DAB sites around north of England. More to follow...

Manchester, United Kingdom

During my Broadcasting Engineering Apprenticeship I undertook a three month placement at Dock 10. I worked on a project to interface camera RCP's with a Snell routing panel so that the over-press function works with more than the current 8 cameras. This involved the use of a microprocessor programmed using the C language. I have also helped to install Avid edit suites and was involved in the rigging and de-rigging of TV shows filmed here.

London, United Kingdom

Worked at BBC New Broadcasting House during the installation of new studios.

Beng Broadcast Engineering, Broadcast Engineering, 1St Class Honours

Beng Broadcast Engineering, Broadcast Engineering, 1St Class Honours

Edexcel Btec Level 3 Extended Diploma In Business, Business Administration And Management, General, Triple Distinction *