Charles E. Hockley

  2338 Luzius Dr.

Corpus Christi TX, 78418

Cell Phone (361) 461-0411

ch.hockley@yahoo.com

 

Objective

To find a senior RF Engineering position where I can use my diversified skills and experience to improve the performance of my employer’s wireless network, design cost efficient and effective wireless network solutions which improve coverage and increase capacity, and provide advanced technical assistance, expertise, and leadership to my peers, my supervisor, and senior leadership.

 

Skills/Qualifications

·              Having 15 years of experience working on RF Engineering teams, and 11 years working as an RF Engineer, I started out in the industry performing simple CW drive tests. Since then I have progressed my career into the current role of Professional RAN Engineer+ for AT&T, where I manage the four legacy Cricket Communications markets in South Texas.

·              Though I lack a BSEE or higher degree in Electrical Engineering or other secondary education degree programs I do have 15 years of experience working in wireless telecommunications engineering. What I may lack in the form of a proper education I have more than made up for in the form of applied knowledge and real world experience. 

·              Extensive advanced experience setting up and using a variety of RF test collection tools and post processing software to identify, isolate, and correct performance affecting problems within CDMA 1x, EVDO and LTE networks: Maxima Mentor, (Schema), LinkMaster LML & LMA, Agilent/JDSU E6474A, Andrew Invex3G, Touchwave Blue Rose, Actix Analyzer, Xceed Windcatcher, and Map Info.

·              Advanced use of Mentum Planet EV 5.5 and the numerous previous iterations of the tool, for use in designing new cell sites and outdoor repeater solutions, designing site modifications for optimization, and creating market level coverage maps. Experience includes making network and site specific updates for more accurate coverage analysis, and using customer and subscriber data for designing cost effective changes and site proposals.

·              Advanced experience analyzing and manipulating OMs/KPIs to isolate and diagnose deviant performance issues occurring within wireless voice and data networks, then using this data to determine if site maintenance or performance optimization is required.

·              Complex understanding of Lucent, Nortel, & Huawei Vendor Switch to Base Station/eNode architecture for 1x, EVDO and LTE networks.

·              Detailed knowledge of Lucent, Nortel, & Huawei call flow processing, feature enhancements, and terminology on their 1x, EVDO, and LTE networks.

·              Advanced experience with using the Lucent 5E OMP, Nortel CACP/CPS and Huawei LMT/M2K interfaces to make site, sector, carrier/ eNode level parameter changes for 1x, EVDO, and LTE networks.

·              Extensive use of network analyzers and PN scanners to identify and mitigate both in and out of network interference.

·              Extremely experienced in designing, implementing, integrating, and optimizing the performance of new cell sites, capacity carriers, and indoor/outdoor repeaters in existing networks.

·              Advanced experience using and modifying Excel Macros to process data and create scripts used for parameter modifications.

·              Use of MS PowerPoint to create detailed presentations used to inform team members, decision makers and peer organizations about projects, plans, and information pertaining to performance affecting changes made to the Wireless networks.

 

Education

1989-1992San Pasqual High School, Escondido Ca.

1992UH-1 Helicopter Repair School, Ft. Rucker Al.

2005-2006Western International University, Online Instruction

 

Training

2001Intro to 3G technologies, Course 301, Scott Baxter

2001RF-100 & RF-200, Scott Baxter

2002Lucent IS-95 and 3G-1X RF Design and Growth Engineering

2004Intro to 1xEVDO technology, Course 340, Scott Baxter

2005Lucent 1xEVDO RF Design Engineering and Call Processing

2005Ericsson Planet EV 4.x for CDMA 2000

2008EVDO Performance Measurement & Optimization, Course 344, Scott Baxter

2010Schema Mentor Training

2011HU 1x training for HU Networks

2012LinkMaster LML & LMA training, Bruce Morely

2012Xceed Windcatcher LTE Training

2012Huawei MME/4G LTE Training

2013LTE Training, Courses 501/502, 507/508, 511, 512 & 513, Scott Baxter

2013Intro to GERAN/UMTS/HSPA technologies, Courses 311 & 312, Scott Baxter

2014AT&T Bronze Level Training for GSM/UMTS

2014 AT&T Bronze Level Training for LTE

2015AT&T WF2020 Transformation Learning Series

 

Experience

2014-PresentProfessional RAN Engineer+, AT&T Inc., South Texas

·  Senior RF Engineer and POC for the four legacy CDMA/EVDO/LTE Cricket markets in South Texas: Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Laredo, & McAllen.

·  Perform daily monitoring of market OM KPIs to identify performance affecting issues and the offending sites, and then coordinate activities with the local switch and field operations teams as needed to restore service and baseline KPI performance.

·  Perform parameter modifications as needed to improve or maintain performance for all three technologies, (CDMA, EVDO, & LTE), in the South Texas markets.

·  Identify underutilized network elements in the legacy CDMA, EVDO & LTE networks which can be decommissioned due to reduced utilization as customer migrations continue.

·  Decommissioned CDMA 1x and EVDO carrier channels, and reduced LTE Channel bandwidth as needed to consolidate spectrum and free up underutilized spectrum for re-allocation to the AT&T Mobility Network.

·  Performed testing and performance monitoring for executed carrier channel re-tunes in the legacy Cricket South, Central, and East Texas markets which were required for spectrum divestitures and re-allocation to the AT&T mobility network.

·  Evaluated T1 utilization and approved proposed T1 reductions as requested by the interconnect team.

·  Evaluated sites proposed for early decommission to determine if operating costs of the site would exceed roaming costs if the site were to be shut down early due to costly site repairs or AT&T Mobility requisitioning.

·  Completed assigned GSM, UMTS, LTE and WF 2020 training required for transition to the AT&T mobility network.

 

 

2008-2014RF Engineer II, Cricket Communications, South Texas Markets

·              As the Senior RF Engineer for South Texas I was responsible for preparing, launching, maintaining, optimizing, and growing the CDMA 1x and EVDO networks in the four South Texas markets, (Corpus Christi, Laredo, Brownsville, and McAllen), prior to the 2011 Huawei Rip & Replace project.

·              As determined by headcount I have acted as the lead engineer for peer RF Engineers and assigned contractors located here in the South Texas markets.

·              I identified and planned all capacity enhancements in my assigned markets. These tasks include carrier additions, CE augmentations, Walsh Code parameter changes, and forward Link power allocation optimization.

·              I identified, planned and designed all new site additions and existing site augmentations in a collaborative effort with the local sales teams to provide a high quality network which focuses on our core subscribers and eliminates unnecessary Capex spending.

·              I supervised and completed detailed drive testing and analysis of drive data which was used to optimize coverage and cell site parameter settings in the four STX markets prior to and following the May 2008 launch.

·              Performed investigations into individual customer complaints and worked with the Cricket operations teams to identify and resolve problems pertaining to site and switch performance. Complaints due to coverage issues were resolved when possible and used to determine future proposed Capex spending projects for coverage enhancements.

·              I oversaw the completion of all pre-and post-launch antenna optimization work during the 2008 STX launch.

·              Successfully met the post launch objective of maintaining a dropped call rate below 1% for the first 30 days.

·              During the South Texas launch I successfully identified a performance problem with the KMW brand remote electrical tilt antennas which caused them to under-propagate due to dipoles transmitting out of phase.

·              Successfully worked with the local sales team District Directors and the South/Central TX Region RF Manager to obtain funding for 36 much needed new sites that increased our coverage footprint, improved out coverage density and increased network capacity in South Texas in the year directly following the launch, 2009.

·              Prior to the 2011 Huawei Rip & Replace project I successfully added 144 capacity voice carriers and 159 capacity EVDO carriers to our Nortel sites in the South Texas markets.

·              Assisted in the Hurricane Dolly and Hurricane Ike recovery efforts in 2008, helping my peers complete a 100% inspection of the affected markets cell sites, and assisting the Network Operations teams with a speedy network recovery in the affected markets: McAllen, Brownsville, Beaumont, and Houston.

·              Successfully designed and integrated the first Nortel multi-band AWS, multi-carrier overlay in the Laredo and McAllen Markets, while working closely with the Cricket operations teams, and Nortel Tech Support.

·              Having had the fastest growing EVDO markets in the company I have been at the frontline identifying, isolating, and fixing the many capacity and performance issues we have had since we launched our Nortel EVDO network.

·              Successfully integrated the first Nortel EVDO multicarrier overlay for Cricket Communications when our F1 DOMs first met the requirements for capacity carrier additions.

·              Developed the Nortel EVDO multi-carrier overlay integration process for Cricket Communications and conducted local and national training on the process on the best practices group conference call.

·              Received three Leap Star awards for exemplary performance while implementing and optimizing capacity EVDO carriers, and supporting the Pocket Joint Venture project.

·              Successfully identified out of network interference in the LRD market near the Laredo federal building which had significant negative impact on network performance and worked with Corporate RF to have the interfering source successfully mitigated.

·              Worked with Site Development & Tech Ops to implement eDCG additions on one site for a six-sector conversion, and on six sites for F3 EVDO multi-band carrier adds.

·              Starting in late 2010 the local 1x and EVDO networks were severely capacity strained due to limited RF spectrum, CEM cards, DOM carriers, T1s, ect.  To improve capacity and performance multiple creative solutions were developed and implemented including Flexpower parameters, Adaptive RC4 parameters, Overhead channel power settings, Pocket XCEM card adds, Pocket PRL pushes, DOM carrier reallocations & EVDO carrier adds to Pocket sites.

·              Supported the Huawei RF Engineering team with the South Texas Rip & Replace project for the Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Eagle Pass, Laredo, McAllen, San Antonio and Temple TX markets.

·              Following the South Texas Rip & Replace I assumed responsibility for the new and improved Corpus Christi and Laredo markets utilizing the new Huawei network architecture and equipment.

·              Assigned as the RF Engineering lead for the recent South Texas BSC cuts. I oversaw the planning and testing for the successful BRO/CRP/LRD market BSC cuts from their old over-capacity BSCs to their new BSCs.

·              Working with the HU engineering support team I created a process for adding Sprint network sectors to the Idle Mode neighbor lists on Cricket sites.  When configured on a sector, this allows our customer’s devices to Idle on Sprint Roaming partner sites when they move outside the existing coverage on the fringe of our network or when located inside a large core network coverage hole.

·              Assigned as the RF Engineering lead for the South Texas market frequency re-tune project in the BRO/CRP/LRD/MFE markets. I oversaw the planning and execution of the successful carrier channel retunes completed for Smartphone handset flashing and the upcoming LTE network implementation.

·              Assisted the HU Design and implementation team with the successful integration of LTE in the South Texas markets.

·              Reviewed LTE Drive Test data collected following the integration of the LTE network and requested optimization in areas with lower than expected throughputs and/or weak RSSI/RSRP.

·              Assumed responsibility for managing performance, optimization and future capacity optimization for the new LTE networks located in my markets of responsibility, Corpus Christi and Laredo.

·              Identified an issue which was causing intermittent spikes in AF’s on numerous cells located in all of our South Texas markets, with no known cause. After working with HU TAC to identify the problem, QCI Flow Control settings were allowing the available Cell Bandwidth to be exhausted; we implemented their solution and significantly reduced AF’s in all markets in the region.

·              Helped to identify and solve a problem causing increased LTE Access Failures on High traffic cells due to the exhaustion of RRC resources, (Connection Licenses), and successfully implemented a solution using parameter changes.

 

2006-2008RF Engineer II, Sprint (Corpus Christi, TX)

·              As the Corpus Christi market POC I managed the day-to-day operation of the market and completed all market, regional, and national initiatives as tasked.

·              Customer trouble tickets were investigated and closed after identifying and correcting the network affecting problem.

·              Detailed drive testing was performed to troubleshoot and identify network affecting problems and assist with the design and growth of the voice and EVDO networks.

·              Provided the market coverage design and capacity engineers with local market knowledge and input on all coverage and capacity growth projects.

·              Planned and managed the completion of all market optimization projects on the voice and EVDO networks.

·              Executed site level parameter changes as needed on individual sites and clusters to improve network performance KPIs on the CDMA 1x and EVDO networks.

·              Integrated and optimized all new cell sites, outdoor repeaters, sector adds, and capacity carrier adds for the market.

·              Identified and mitigated out-of-network interference in the forward and reverse links of the voice network.

·              Assisted the project manager and contracted RF engineers with the integration and optimization of the REV0/A EVDO network.

·              Earned a promotion from RF Engineer I to RF Engineer II.

 

2004-2006RF Engineer I, Sprint (Denver, CO)

·              Assisted with the successful integration and optimization of over 160 sites that were purchased from Qwest Wireless in Denver in 2004. These sites increased the market coverage footprint, increased the signal density and increased cell site capacity for the CDMA 1x and EVDO networks.

·              Executed site level parameter changes as needed on individual sites and clusters to improve network performance KPIs on the CDMA 1x and EVDO networks.

·              Member of the award winning performance optimization team which was responsible for planning and performing cluster optimization projects on the 1x and EVDO networks which improved market performance KPIs.

·              Served as the CDMA 1x semi-soft handoff optimization engineer for the entire market, reducing dropped calls and access failures through multi-carrier optimization projects while maintaining a semi-soft handoff success rate greater than 97%.

·              Developed and conducted assigned training classes on RF and CDMA technology for the RF engineering team members.

·              Successfully identified and mitigated out of network interference in the forward and reverse links of the voice network created by FBI repeaters located on buildings located throughout the city, and one after-market bi-directional amplifier purchased online by a customer and placed in his home office.

·              Earned a promotion from Associate RF Engineer to RF Engineer I.

 

2001-2004Optimization Specialist, Sprint (San Diego, CA)

·              Performed detailed drive testing that was used to troubleshoot and identify network affecting problems and plan the growth design of the CDMA network in San Diego, CA.

·              Member of the CMI replacement team, responsible for replacing legacy base stations and fiber distributed antenna systems, (CMI’s), with over 230 new Lucent Modcell sites.

·              Data filled parameters as needed and coordinated with the Sprint Operations teams to integrate new sites on-air when ready.

·              Executed site level parameter changes as needed to integrate new CMI replacement sites, and on existing sites to improve network performance KPIs on the CDMA 1x networks as part of my responsibilities on the performance optimization team.

·              Member of the award winning performance optimization team which was responsible for planning and performing cluster optimization projects on the CDMA 1x and EVDO networks which improved network KPIs for the CDMA 1x voice network.

·              Successfully identified and mitigated out of network interference in the forward and reverse links of the CDMA 1x network created by sources emanating from US military installations located in San Diego County.

 

2000-2001CW Drive Tester, Broadbay Networks

·              Assisted with the design and integration of Sprint’s Phase IV expansion project in the San Diego market.

·              Located acceptable CW test candidates within proposed search rings, set-up and performed CW drive tests for proposed site candidates.

·              Performed drive tests for site integration.

·              Processed drive data into thematic maps and spreadsheets for the design Engineers.

 

2000Installer, TEKsystems Inc.

·              Installed Inner-Ducting, CAT5, Fiber-Optic, and copper telephone lines in a Sheetrock manufacturing plant.

·              Performed detailed Cell Site audits of assigned GTE Wireless sites throughout the San Diego Market. This included making detailed drawings of the floor plans, an equipment inventory, taking detailed photos and uploading the data to a Project Management database.

 

1998-2000Technician II, Callaway Golf Ball Co.

·              Production finishing line Technician II.

·              Applied experimental paint coatings during the developmental phase of the production products.

·              Assisted with the design, de-bug, and optimization of a customized production system.

·              Set-up, operated, and performed preventive maintenance,  troubleshooting, and cleanup of all finishing line machinery.

·              Managed assigned team members to accomplish assigned tasks and duties related to applying urethane coatings to the golf balls.

·              Ensured proper flow of product through the manufacturing cell in accordance with the JIT manufacturing process.

 

1992-1998UH-1 Crew-chief, U.S. ARMY

·              UH-1H/V helicopter mechanic and flight crew member.

·              Performed scheduled, unscheduled, and phased maintenance on UH-1H/V series helicopters.

·              Performed pre-flight and post-flight aircraft inspections.

·              Served as a flight crew member performing a variety duties including: CrewChief, Emergency Medical Technician, and Door Gunner.

·              Kept my assigned aircraft and its associated maintenance forms, records, and manuals in a high state of readiness.

·              Managed assigned mechanics to accomplish maintenance projects and assignments.