The Professional Radar Engineer/Technician

The word professional is regularly misused today, and its use in the title of this chapter may appear to the outsider to be yet one more abuse. However, the work of a radar technician truly falls within proper definitions of the term. Some work is called a 'trade' and some is called a 'profession'. A 'trade' is defined as skilled work, but is differentiated from a profession by dictionary definitions. Definitions for 'profession' include such concepts as 'involving mental rather than manual work' Generally, 'trade' would describe such occupations as plumbers, electricians, welders, mechanics, and machinists where skill in performing tasks is more necessary than extensive knowledge. 'Profession' would describe such occupations as doctors, nurses, dentists, chemists, physicists, engineers, attorneys, etc. A Webster's Dictionary definition of the word 'technician' is 'one versed in the technicalities of some subject, specifically, an artist, writer, musician, etc. who has great technical skill or knowledge. The 'knowledge' part of the general definition of 'technician' places it in the 'professions' category. A 'profession' may require certain manual skills, but it is characterized principally by formal, academic, or scientific knowledge, and by a requirement to arrive at conclusions through application of that knowledge. The radar technician's job most certainly falls within that definition. He must be able to correctly theorize the source of a problem, even when he cannot see it. He must be able to document his actions in a manner adequate to allow readers to unquestionably understand him; this requires the correct and accurate use of accepted technical and scientific terms and definitions. He must also be able to speak of technical and scientific matters with the same precise, accurate, and correct use of terms and definitions, as problem solving and correction may often involve telephone communication with other technicians in locations perhaps hundreds of miles away, or even more.