Power Technician

Location:

New York, NY

Posted:

March 22, 2014

Contact this candidate

Resume:

EDWARD SPITHALER

Senior Electronic Technician/Instructor

**** ******** **., ******* **. 32566 (SECRET CLEARANCE)

******.*********@*****.*** Home: 850-***-****

Other Phone: 011************

PROFILE

Experienced, responsible and HIGHLY motivated senior level electronic technician with a solid background in

electronic fundamentals and usage of electronic test equipment test equipment that can quickly troubleshoot

down to circuit card, module or component level. I can effectively communicate production solutions to

management and consensus building and teaming efforts to provide maximum amount of production

optimization (software, hardware related) and repair capability on any type of manual or computer controlled

electronic test equipment. Instructor qualified on F-15 Avionics Test Stations and associated aircraft systems.

SUMMARY OF SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Electronic fault isolation and repair capability on military aircraft avionics systems, test station support

equipment and commercial FM station broadcasting equipment.

• Can operate a wide assortment of analog/digital/RF test equipment.

• Can replace electronic components using finely honed soldering/de-soldering skills down to component

level.

• Can reload/configure workstation software using multiple operating systems.

• Can use technical orders, commercial manuals, engineer documents and blueprints to do circuit card

component placement and mechanical assembly according to current MIL standards.

• Experience (ATP) testing and aligning/repairing of Low Voltage and High Voltage linear and switching

power supplies that included Hipot testing as well.

• Can operate Huntron signature analyzer to pinpoint defective Integrated Circuits (ICs) and discrete

components.

• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.

• Possess instructor qualification (from Boeing 1997) and course development skills.

• Use technical orders, commercial manuals, engineer documents and blueprints

• Capability to perform functional testing of electronic, electro-mechanical, electro-optical, RF, and FLIR

system on airborne navigation and targeting pods.

EDUCATION

• Associates Degree Electronic Engineering Technology (AS EET), Okaloosa/ Ft Walton Beach

Community College, GPA 3.44.

• Associates Degree Computer Science Engineering Technology (AS CSE), Grantham College of

Engineering, GPA 3.37.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

• Microsoft Windows (All), Windows NT, Windows Server 2000, Microsoft Office (All), DOS, Visual

Basic 6, Microsoft Visual C, C++, Borland C++, SCO Unix, HPUX, DAP16, ELAN, FAPA, ATLAS.

TEST EQUIPMENT

Qualified on Analog/Digital Programmable Test Equipment Operator For:

Power Supplies Logic/HV Probes Desoldering Power Meter Pulse Generator

Equipment

Oscilloscope Spectrum Analyzer Waveform Function Generator Programmable

Generator Measurement

Frequency Counter Multimeters Noise Analyzer Time Domain KennedyKit

Reflectometer Insertion/Extraction

Tools

Signature Analyzer Attenuation Network Analyzer Measuring Receiver Laptop Computer

Receiver USB/IEEE Interface

VXI/VME Solder/Desolder

Instruments Equipment

WORK EXPERIENCE

F-15 Avionics Test Stations Instructor, PKL Services, Khamis, Saudi Arabia, Jan 2014 - Present

Training foreign military students to produce qualified technicians in their assigned specialties who are able

to maintain aircraft systems, subsystems, support equipment, and/or provide logistics support and expertise

with little or no supervision. Training shall provide students specialty Upgrade Training to elevate skills

from 3-level to 5-level on F-15C/D/S aircraft, GE engines, and associated support services for the

following specialty: Avionics Test Stations.

• Analyzes performance and isolates malfunctions of avionics test equipment, SE, and aircraft

components. Performs operational tests on test equipment, SE, and aircraft components to determine

condition, analyze performance, and isolate malfunctions in the radar, communications, weapons

control, electronic warfare (EW), and flight control and engine control systems. Traces logic, schematic,

test flow, and wiring diagrams. Uses self-test and software functions, computer and manually operated

avionics test equipment, SE, and test measurement and diagnostic equipment to determine the scope of

repair and adjustment required.

• Inspects, maintains, programs, and calibrates avionics equipment, SE, and aircraft components.

Removes and replaces assembly components using hand tools, soldering devices, and electronic

instruments.

F-15 Lantirn Supervisor/Technician, Alsalam Aircraft Co, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Jan 2011-Dec 2013

F-15 Lantirn Supervisor/Technician, AEC, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, July 2008 - Dec 2010

Provide all aspects of testing, repair, alignment, modification, calibration, cooling/refrigeration units

servicing, reloading SCO UNIX and HPUX software, component/board repair, on VXI/VME hardware

DATE, PSTS, ECUTS and UPS. Also provide LRU/Software reload, replacement of CCAa, and

LASER/FLIR alignment on AN/AAQ-14 Targeting and AN/AAQ-13 Navigation Pods. Maintain UPS and

Motor/Generator backup power system.

• Found Piller Uniblock (Motor/ Generator) UPS was not properly configured to provide backup power in

the event of main power loss. Several times we lost power possibly causing extensive damage to our test

equipment and pods. I properly configured the UPS and replaced the voltage regulator module, and we

have had reliable back-up power for over one year.

• Troubleshot an intermittent QBUS problem on the Downsized Automated Test Equipment (DATE) that

had plagued the system for over a year. I found the bus cable connector was poorly designed with

several 24ga. wires were crimped on the pins with the wrong crimper setting. The wires would pull out

without the operator being aware of it. I repaired both connector ends, and since the wires were shorting

together it had also caused the QBUS Converter CCA to fail. After replacement the DATE became fully

reliable and eliminated excessive down time.

• Repaired 2 VXIpc-386 single board controllers by finding and replacing blown fuses due to defective

memory modules. This allowed 2 test stations to be returned to fully reliable status.

• The Battlefield Reconfigurable Instrument for Test of Electro-optics (BRITE VXI/VME), which is part

of the DATE, would not pass self test. I configured HyperTerminal on a Windows 98 laptop computer

and constructed a RS232 cable to communicate with the VXI embedded computer in the BRITE and

found the stepper motor amplifier was shorting out the power supply. After replacement of the amplifier

the BRITE passed self test.

• The Video Monitor display screen would intermittently collapse. I totally disassembled the monitor and

found several poor solder connections on the motherboard. By repairing these connections I brought the

monitor back to complete serviceability and saved the RSAF $19,000 in replacement costs.

• Discovered Video Processor (VXI/VME) in Electro Optical Test Bench failing self test. I measured the

power supply outputs and found the 5 VDC line was not putting the correct voltage. I totally

disassembled the power supply and found a bad a fuse. Replaced the fuse and brought the Video

Processor back to complete serviceability and passed self test on the Test Station. This saved the RSAF

$4000 in replacement costs.

• Found Coolant Servicing Unit that provides liquid cooling/filtering to the pods, was overheating and

causing excessive station down-time. I found the condenser unit almost completely blocked with sand

and one cooling fan burned out. After cleaning and replacing the fan the unit provides proper cooling to

provide 100% station reliability.

• Repaired the Interface Chassis Assembly power supply which was incorrectly wired, reconfigured the

Generic Bus Interface Card (GBIC), and replaced VXI chassis power supplies, cleaned all instrument

filters, ran all self tests and aligned it. We put the station back to Partial Mission Capable Status

(PMCS) able to test Targeting pods and receive a letter of appreciation from the Avionics Flight

Commander.

Electronic Technician II, DynCorp International, Eglin AFB, Florida, November 2002-July 2008

Provide all aspects of testing, repair, alignment, modification, calibration on F-15 AIS (Autos/Manuals),

F-16 AIS (CI, DI, PP, RF Stations)(Block 30/40/50), ESTS, Lantirn Test Stations, AN/ARC-164(V)

UHF and VHF Radio Test Sets, UPM-155 Radar Test Set, AN/APG-63/66/70, and associated aircraft

line replaceable units for the 46th Eglin Test Wing. Maintained the 400Hz 3-Phase Motor/Generator set.

• On F-16 RF test station it failed CONF, DIAG, and ALIN on MSI-MMU drawer for low power. Found

that both RF signal generators were not phase locking, replaced both signal generators and troubleshot

to a defective hard-line in MMU drawer

• On F-16 RF test station during180 day inspection MMU drawer failed to align properly. I removed

drawer from test station and removed all circuit cards and modules, cleaned card connectors and re-

torqued all hardliners. Installed drawer and full MMU alignment passed.

• On F-16 software updates the Panasonic (CAPRE) laptop computer is used to update test station

software, which was intermittently locking up. The cable from the network card to the test station had a

poor connection unless it was positioned in a certain position, so I built a support bracket to keep the

cable in the correct position, and now software updates are completed with no errors.

• On F-16 CI Test station several DEDs were failing to turn on test and the units were being send back to

depot, so I researched what test points were used in The Interface Unit (IU) and found a poor crimp on

the test point pin causing the ohms reading to be too high. I replaced the pin and now DEDs can be fully

tested.

• On F-15 Ant B test station created a procedure to use a digital oscope instead of an analog scope to

analyze pulse and waveform parameters, which reduced F-15 radar transmitter testing time by 50%

• When testing a high power F-15 radar transmitter I encountered severe arcing within the waveguide.

After careful inspection I discovered a crack on one of the waveguide flex joints that was causing high

SWR. I replaced the flexible waveguide, performed RF loss compensation, and was able resume

transmitter testing.

• Found broken shielded wires within a test cable using a TDR that was causing symmetry fail on the F-

15 radar transmitter. After I repaired the shielded wires the symmetry fail was eliminated.

• Repaired 3 Phase 400Hz 28VDC avionics test station power supply by isolating and replacing defective

switching control chip.

• On F-15 INC (Indicators and Controls) test station PDP (Power Distribution Panel) by isolating and

replacing a defective relay.

• Completed RF Loss calibration on Antenna B transmitter test station to allow testing of F-15 radar

transmitters to resume after being down for several weeks.

• On F-15 Transmitter Test Station repaired radar cooling conditioning unit test by finding a leaky valve

through nitrogen leak testing procedures. Also found a defective relay not allowing the system to engage

cool-down cycle. Replaced relay and serviced system with the proper amount of Freon and the cooling

system was functioning properly to cool radar transmitters.

Broadcast Engineer, Qantum of Fort Walton Beach, Destin Florida, Apr 2007-May 2008

Responsible for cooling, preventative maintenance, alignment, repair, and installation of broadcast equipment

for FM radio stations WWAV, WFFY, and WMXZ, and transmitter sites.

• The Broadcast Electronics FM-30A transmitter was always shutting down or going to minimum power

due to contaminated tuning circuitry. By completely disassembling the grid circuitry and cleaning the

inductor and capacitor tuning components I was able to restore tuning stability.

• Provided studio ON-AIR light by interfacing a relay to the mixer console output bus.

• The WMXZ transmitter site had an overheating problem causing the transmitter to shut down. I rerouted

air conditioning ducts, installed additional venting, replaced insulation, and set the AC units to cycle on

at different times. The system has been operating at 100% power consistently for the past 9 months.

• Repaired EAS ENDEC unit. I found that the power supply had a blown capacitor.

• Installed and programmed RDS units at WMXZ and WWAV.

• Repaired a voice track/on-air switching problem at WFFY studio by replacing 3 relays.

• Installed and wired a satellite receiver for WMXZ.

• Repaired and programmed ARC-16 remote control for WWAV, and VRC-2000 for WMXZ.

• Experience with Scott Studios SS-32.

F-15 Avionics Instructor, KAAB, Khamis, Saudi Arabia, Apr 2001-July 2002

Developed course documents for Advanced Avionics Equipment Familiarization, conducted classroom training,

performed hands-on demonstrations, evaluated trainee’s progress with written tests, and performance

evaluations. Maintained course curriculum files. Maintained office equipment.

• Thoroughly developed and produced 20 lesson plans, and tests in 30 days.

• Assisted with the design and construction of the Avionics Test Equipment Trainer.

• Taught F-15 Enhanced Radar Test Station course to 12 students.

• Taught F-15 Instructor Course to 18 students who are currently teaching their specialty

courses.

• Setup and maintained a (40) course curriculum file to virtually error free condition.

• Repaired 3 laser printers and 2 monitors.

• Set-up a Windows 2000 server LAN with 5 workstations.

F-15 Avionics Instructor, KKAB, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Sept 1997-Apr 2001

Developed course documents for F-15 Enhanced Radar Test Station (EARTS), conducted classroom training,

performed hands-on demonstrations, and evaluated trainee’s progress with written tests, and performance

evaluations. Assisted avionics repair shops with technical guidance.

• Produced 50 lesson plan, tests, and student handouts in 90 days.

• Successfully trained 12 students on F-15 Enhanced Radar Test Station.

• Taught Basic and Advanced Management Courses for 18 students.

• Taught Basic Computer Course for 24 students.

Power Supply Test Technician, Keltec, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Jul 1996-Sept 1997

Performed rigid test procedures on military/commercial linear and switching Low Voltage (LV) and High

Voltage (HV) Power Supplies. Isolated malfunctions to component level.

• Learned operation, testing procedures, and equipment set-up on 15 different power supplies.

• Isolated malfunctions and instructed assemblers on which parts to replace.

• Energetically supported a $4M contract on 300 production power supplies

• In 8 months tested and repaired 150 service-return power supplies for a profit of $60K.

Electronic Assembler/Power Supply Test Technician, Transistor Devices, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Aug

1993-Jul 1996

Assembled, built wiring harnesses, mounted and soldered components on printed circuit boards. Performed test

procedures and environmental stress testing on HV and LV switching and linear power supplies. Built test

packages and troubleshot production and service-return power supplies.

• Certified to MIL-2000 and 2000A soldering techniques.

• Supported all phases of 350 production power supplies that met strict quality conditions and were

consistently ahead of schedule.

• Performed environmental stress testing on 10 different production power supplies.

• Designed and built 4 test packages for production power supplies.

• Performed automated and manual testing of 10 production power supplies and service returns.

• Troubleshot malfunctions on 40 different production and service return power supplies.

Microelectronics Supervisor/Technician, USAF, Eglin AFB, Florida, May 1991- Jun 1993

Aggressively supported the operation of a maintenance facility to locally repair computers, printers, modems,

power supplies, monitors, and circuit card assemblies (CCA) from F-15 avionics test stations to offset high

depot repair costs.

• Supervised a team of 3 technicians.

• Used Huntron tracker signature analyzer to isolate defective components on CCAs.

• Used desoldering equipment to remove and replace SMT/Thru hole devices from CCAs.

• Constantly maintained ESD and safety conditions.

• Our efforts saved the USAF approximately $1.1M in repair costs.

F-15 Manuals/Electronic Warfare Shift Supervisor/Technician, USAF, Bitburg AB, Germany, Apr 1986-

May 1991

Major contributor to the operation and maintenance of 10 different AIS semi-automatic computer and manually

controlled test stations.

• Tested and repaired ALQ-119 ECM pods.

• Supervised a team of 20 technicians to maintain stations to 100% error free condition.

• Tested and repaired 150 Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) from F-15 aircraft avionics systems.