10 minutes with... Cameron Grambau

Radio technicians should be ARCIA-accredited to drive up their value, making for consistency in training across the industry, according to Cameron Grambau, managing director of CTG Radio.

“I believe it is important not to lose the knowledge of people who have been in the industry 30-plus years, so an ARCIA accreditation process might be a good way to have some of this key knowledge passed on to the newer people entering the industry,” he said.

An ARCIA (Australian Radio Communication Industry Association) accreditation is awarded to businesses that are recognised providers of a standardised level of service and business practice. As each applicant is independently assessed to ensure they meet the levels expected of an ARCIA Accredited Professional, Grambau said this should be available to individuals as well.

He came into the radio industry like so many others, via an electronics certificate from RMIT, and became an apprentice radio technician with AA Radio after answering a newspaper advertisement.

“I believe radio is a difficult industry for attracting students, because only basic electronics are taught with just a brief overview of RF,” he said.

After making the leap from the metropolis of Melbourne to start his own radio company in country Victoria, much has changed for Grambau.

Starting CTG Radio in 2009, an on-site two-way radio service and installation company, he provides radio sales, on-site installation, and repair and service of radios. He operates in the Sunraysia district of his new hometown of Mildura.

Recently, Grambau set up an e-commerce website, www.twoway-radio.com.au, allowing his customers to buy radios, antennas and accessories through an online checkout. A ‘business portal’ allows users to log on and order particular items they regularly use.

“I believe a targeted website that can attract new customers and service existing customers without devaluing the radio industry will be the industry standard in a few years to come,” he said.

“I am conscious that customer service is still a key factor in any business, so I strive to maintain the ‘over the counter’ service and support as well as maintaining this new concept of sales.”

Spending only a short but successful time so far in the radio industry, Grambau has a healthy respect for industry leaders who have many years of experience and believes they may be the key to boosting the industry.

Even in the short time he has been involved, he has seen significant changes in the industry, such as digital radio and the migration to narrowband, and hopes in the future to pass down his knowledge of the industry.

“I see myself still heavily involved in the radio industry in the future and hopefully giving some new people the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship within the radio industry so they have the opportunities that I have had.”

Cameron Grambau is managing director at CTG Radio and twoway-radio.com.au. He started as an apprentice technician at AA Radio in Melbourne and moved to Mildura, North-West Victoria, in 2009. He provides full service and repair of radios, as well as reselling radios, antennas and accessories online.