Rick Blumer Email & Phone Number

Raleigh, North Carolina

Locally and Remotely Administered a highly redundant network utilizing VRRP, STP, and LAG. Maintained testing and inventory of Eutelsat SmartLNB VSAT terminals. Routinely communicated with Eutelsat the results of tests or fault isolation with customers. Communicated Effectively in planning and troubleshooting services with customer’s and service providers upper echelons. Designed network topology and implemented network components as required and suited for customer needs. Configured Ubiquiti and Foundry routers and switches via GUI, CLI, SSH, Telnet, and Serial. Performed triage by identifying and resolving network issues based on network monitoring software reports, customer provided input, and operator or self observations. Replaced faulty network equipment with newly configured cold spares or upgrades as needed. Continually updated a live network map of all networking equipment using SNMP & ICMP. Planned and set appropriate alarms for Satellite Systems Operators to react to. Trained Satellite Systems Operators to troubleshoot effectively in reaction to information provided via the Network Monitoring Software and live network map. Performed routine configuration backups of all relevant network equipment. Recorded all network addresses in an Excel spreadsheet which was periodically backed up. Migrated a primary internet circuit to a different provider with minimal impact. Ensured proper network connectivity to relocate customers locally from a remote facility. Assisted Corporate IT in managing local user accounts as a Super User. Continued to perform all previous responsibilities as Satellite Systems Operator I & II.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Coordinated between Eutelsat, Egatel, MBI, and customers as the Primary Contact for Installation and Troubleshooting of Eutelsat’s SmartLNB VSAT platform. Performed firmware upgrades and advanced troubleshooting on SmartLNB VSAT equipment. Assisted Network Engineer in configuring routers, switches, and network management software. Primary Video Services Camera Operator for video liveshots. Configured and installed two modulators for DVB-S and DVB-S2 transmissions to SES satellites. Assumed Engineer and Point of Contact Role for a large Live Cinema customer. Configured and tested video networking equipment used for a customer’s Live Store Opening. Fabricated Cat5 cables terminated with RJ45 connectors, RG6 and RG59 cables terminated with F and BNC Type connectors, RS232 cables terminated with DB 9 and DB 25 connectors, audio cables terminated with XLR connectors. Soldered wires to circuit boards, cable connectors, replacement parts in hardware. Configured and Monitored DVB-S monitoring software to check for PID Presence, Bandwidth, Jitter, and PCR Accuracy among other variables. Continued to perform all previous responsibilities as Satellite Systems Operator I.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Operate and maintain satellite equipment for broadcast, video, audio, and data services. Provided a wide range of customer services: Paging, Digital Signage, Music delivery, Weather data, Banking data, Live video, Secure video delivery to Cinemas, Internet failover redundancy, and satellite internet downlinks. Provided maintenance and customer support for all facility equipment and customer needs. Installed and configured many devices including Linux, Android, Windows, DVB-S Encoders, Multiplexers, Upconverters, TWTs and Klystrons, customer specific equipment, along with a variety of telephone and IP modems and routers. Installed baseband equipment, including patchbays and networking equipment, as well as High Powered Amplifiers, Multiplexers, and Upconverters. Performed top level maintenance on equipment, using fault isolation and various test equipment to verify equipment integrity. Assembled satellite antennas and authored instructions for customers to configure SmartLNB equipment properly. Documented and created procedures for maintenance tasks at the facility and gave training to personnel on how to safely follow proper procedures. Configured and installed Windows and Ubuntu Servers for various uses: Remote management, FTP, Video Encoding, and Audio streaming.

Landstuhl, Germany

Performed Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Annual PMCS on KaStarts and DKET terminals.Supervised and instructed soldiers on the operation of DKET and KaStars satellite communications terminals.Performed daily PMCS on iDirect and acted as an alternate for video integrity checks on the Digital Video Broadcasting system.Subject Matter Expert on spectrum analyzer use. Instructed soldiers and fellow employees on proper viewing and reading of carriers.

Programmed, operated, and maintained satellite communications equipment for FDMA and SSMA transmissions on X, Ka, and Ku band frequencies to comply with SAA's, GAA's and other documentation set forth by DISA. Proficient with use of satellite modems, frequency converters, Low Noise Amplifiers, High powered Amplifiers, PROMINA, MIDAS, MATRIX, physical RF patch panels, and multiple forms of bulk and line encryption. Coordinated with various military and NOC authorities to establish and maintain data services and minimize station downtime. Extensive experience at utilizing RF testing equipment, including spectrum analyzers, test translators, frequency generators, scalar network analyzers, power meters, Fireberd 6000's, Fireberd 8000's, and HST 3000's.

Associate Of Science - As

Associate Of Engineering - Ae

Us Army Satellite Operator And Maintainer Course Completion Certificate

High School Diploma

Education record