William R. Merkel

7045 Hoover Way   •   Buena Park, California 90620   •   Telephone: (714) 348-9729   •   wmmerkel@gmail.com

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Accomplished telecommunications/RF Engineering professional with more than 16 years of experience in installation, troubleshooting, upgrading and compliance of telecommunication systems and networks. 

 

>         Effectively combines strong technical skills with experience in project leadership, site supervision, reporting, quality assurance/control, auditing and equipment/asset management. 

 

>         Diverse technical background including CDMA, EVDO and 4G LTE, 2.5 LTE and 800 LTE system installations and integrations, RF and systems testing, cluster optimization, antenna hardware adjustments, capacity management, baseline drive test, antenna line sweeps, CW testing, cell site auditing, etc.

 

>         Excellent communication talents with proven ability to build and lead highly efficient teams, train technical personnel and convey complex concepts in understandable terms to non-technical personnel.  Strong leadership skills to coordinate between vendors, customers and multiple internal teams and departments.

 

>         Maintain flexibility to respond to the individualized specifications of diverse projects and customers.

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

 

TeleWorld Solutions,  Reston, VA.  20190                                                                                    03/2013 to Present

RF Engineer                                                                                                                                                                                        Work with the Project RF Engineer for Samsung working on a large telecommunication projects for national providers, optimization of 4G LTE, 2.5 LTE and 800 LTE networks. Data collection, testing (Download, Upload, Ping Testing and Setup Testing. CW  drive Testing, Cell Site troubleshooting. Performed post processing using XCAP. Network for Sprint/Nextel on the Columbus/Cincinnati, OH. Project. Effectively utilize diverse software, including Xcal, XCAP and  QXDM,  as well as test equipment such as PCTEL Scanner 800 and 1900 Bands; Samsung Conquer SPH-D600, Samsung Trendier SPH-M380, Sanyo PRO-700A, Microsoft Streets & Trips 2010, Lenovo Laptop, Windows 7,  XP and Andrew Invex 3G and H.P. Spectrum Analyzer. Work with the Project RF Engineer for Samsung working on a large telecommunication projects for national providers, optimization of 4G LTE networks for Sprint/Nextel on the San Francico project. (Download, Upload, Ping Testing and Setup Testing.) Effectively utilize diverse software, including Xcal and  QXDM,  as well as test equipment such as PCTEL Scanner 800 and 1900 Bands; Samsung Conquer SPH-D600, Samsung Trendier SPH-M380, Sanyo PRO-700A, Microsoft Streets & Trips 2010, Lenovo Laptop, Windows 7,  XP and Andrew Invex 3G and H.P. Spectrum Analyzer.

 

HNM SYSTEMS, San Diego, CA. 92109                                                                                                      11/2012 to 01/2013

RF Field Engineer

Work with the Project field engineer with Itron/SCE. I was on the 1.7% solution team, working with the smart connect meters for SCE. Finding solutions so the meters can talk to each other and So SCE can read the meters  remotely. Fixing systems by using Cell relays, Cell Router, Cell Extenders, Smart Synch Meter, RRE, BGAN (Hughes Ways Satellite), Antenna,. AT&T Aircard and Verizon Aircard (To Check RSSI).

Environments: Test Equipment: DeLorme Earth mate GPS. PN-60, Nikon Coolpix AW 100 Camera, Sokka- Protractor: 8047-10, Dell Latitude E6410 Laptop and Samsung Galaxy Tab.

 

Nexus Solutions, Inc., Allen, TX. 75013

RF Field Engineer                                                                                                                     07/2012 to 10/2012

Work with the Project field engineer and Metro PCS working on large telecommunication projects for national providers, including optimization of 4G LTE networks, data collection, testing (ping time, CW, drive, cell site), troubleshooting. .  Effectively utilize diverse software, including Xcal and  QXDM, as well as test equipment such as PCTEL Scanner 800 and 1900 Bands; Samsung Conquer SPH-D600, Samsung Trendier SPH-M380, Sanyo PRO-700A, Microsoft Streets & Trips 2010, Lenovo Laptop, Windows 7, XP and Andrew Invex 3G and H.P. Spectrum Analyzer.

 

NEXGEN WIRELESS, INC., Schaumburg, Illinois

Associate RF Engineer/ATP RF Field Engineer9/2010 to 07/2012

Project field engineer working on large telecommunication projects for national providers, including optimization of 4G LTE networks, data collection, testing (ping time, CW, drive, cell site), troubleshooting, changing base stations and FCC Regulatory Compliance analyses (RF NEPA).  Operate effectively working with vendors, suppliers, providers and field engineers.  Serve as a senior team member to plan projects, ensure equipment availability, monitor software updates and develop reports and documentation. Monitor and control FCC Regulatory Compliance for cell sites (RF NEPA).  Instrumental in planning, installation and final inspections of new and updated cellular fixed wireless system projects. Perform troubleshooting on switches, cells and ancillary equipment; verify operation of cell sites/switches.  Effectively

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utilize diverse software, including Xcal, QXDM and QChat, as well as test equipment such as PCTEL Scanner 800 and 1900 Bands; Samsung Conquer SPH-D600, Samsung Trender SPH-M380, Sanyo PRO-700A and RF NEPA.

 

Key Projects:

·               Sprint/Nextel & Samsung Venture, Northern Illinois & NW Indiana Region (12/2011-Present): Project team member to plan and direct changeover from Sprint base station equipment to new Samsung base station equipment, including overseeing accuracy of hand-off from sector to sector. Perform system-wide data collection: upload/download speed testing and long/short call testing. Create daily performance trending, including CDMA and EVDO drive data collection and baseline, cluster drives and post process and analysis utilizing Actix Analyzer and Exceed Wind Catcher. Ensure availability of equipment, including distribution to drive tester and troubleshooting/repair.

·               Etex Wireless, TX (6/2011-12/2011): Facilitated soft and hard hand-off between Etex Wireless and Verizon Wireless. Conducted CDMA and EVDO system-wide data collection for long and short calls; conducted network troubleshooting and analysis of cell sites to ensure accuracy of base ID, azimuths, center line height and hand-off from sector to sector.  Conducted cluster drive route data collection.  Performed site audits; created documents pertaining to sites and database for site management.

·               Sprint/Nextel, TN (2/2011-5/2011): Conducted system-wide data collection and optimization analysis, as well as speed testing upload/download and long/short calls.  Led daily performance trending, as well as CDMA and EVDO drive data collection and baseline, cluster drives and post process analysis (Actix Analyzer, Exceed Wind Catcher).

·               Clear Wire Wireless, OH (New Network): Partnered directly with Clear Wire Engineers and equipment provider (WOWWAY) focused on optimization of 4G Network, as well as data collection of upload/download speed testing and ping time testing. Led analyses to ensure accurate frequency (KHz).  Performed RSSI (dBm) and CINR (dm) network troubleshooting and assessed cell sites to ensure accuracy and compliance of preamble, base ID, azimuths, center line height and hand-off from sector to sector.

·               Environments (Software & Test Equipment): Witt v. 9.10, XCAL-XP 3.2.11.229, Kannon 04.01.0038 Beceem WiMAX Diagnostics, SpeedTest.NET-64.13.86.244, CED.EXE-Ping Time Test v.5.1.26001, Core FTP Lite v. 2.1, Microsoft Streets & Trips 2010, Lenovo Laptop, Windows XP and PN Scanner, Andrew Invex 3G and H.P. Spectrum Analyzer.

 

VENTURE DESIGN COMPANY (Areol Staffing Services), Anaheim/Orange, California

RF Technician 2/2008 to 8/2008

Contracted through Areol Staffing working on 25 and 75 watt Controller Boards and 75 watt Bias Tee supporting development and manufacturing of 800 megahertz radios for Department of Defense applications.  Inspected control boards and bias tees for missing components and solder.  Read and analyzed electrical schematics.  Accountable for accurate downloading of software to controller boards and bias tees. Measured voltage and ensured accurate voltage range via adjusting trimmer capacitor.  Analyzed all bands and frequency in order to troubleshoot and resolve Control Board and Bias Tee issues.

Venture Design/RF Technician, Continued . . .

·               Consistently developed top production performance for accuracy and quality in troubleshooting boards and accurately downloading software prior to delivery to QA.

·               Environments: Test Equipment: Fluke 70 lll Multimeter, Agilent E4402B Spectrum Analyzer, Agilent E4432DB ESG Signal Generator, Tektronix TDS210 Osilloscope, Agilent 8483A 30db Attenuators … Software: HCS08 Flash program, S19 firmware, PRGS430 flash program, Quartus ii software, Trt.exe program.

 

SPRINT/NEXTEL, Irvine, California

RF Technician II7/1999 to 4/2007

Filled a senior technician role including supervising projects for installing EMX/Switching/CDMA and BTS systems in several nationwide markets.  Managed CDMA system installation and optimization projects.  Worked effectively on analog and digital cellular systems.  Conducted daily performance trending on CDMA and EVDO systems, as well as led CDMA and/or EVDO drive data collection and baseline, cluster drives and post process and analysis with Actix Analyzer and Exceed Wind Catcher for CDMA IS95/2000 Wireless Networks.  Assembled Drive Test Equipment to analyze Markov Voice and 1900MHZ CDMA Pilot Scanning. Executed cell site modification.  Performed CW drive testing and in-building RF survey testing. Received and resolved customer trouble tickets from initiation through close.

 

Key Projects:

·               Worked on several special projects, including PTT testing, cubical testing, ATM and ATP.

·               Analyzed and assisted in resolution of network performance problems related to dropped calls and collection; performed post processing using MapInfo tools.

·               Performed cell site audits and antenna adjustments.

 

 

 

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  Partnered with Optimization Team for network troubleshooting and trouble ticket resolution Demonstrated success                      in understanding EVDO Technology (served as only technician working on EVDO launch project), as well as

  performing RLP Throughput tests and FTP upload/downloads.

·               Orchestrated power measurements, antenna/coax sweeps and RF interference measurements.

·               Conducted audits to correct site problems; organized Drive Test team to optimize cleared clusters on system, which greatly enhanced system performance.

·               Served as troubleshooter to analyze problems and correct equipment due to improper installation, factory defects or faulty telecom circuits, lines or antennas.

·               Demonstrated success in ensuring FCC compliance for all cell sites in Land Emperor (RF NEPA).

·               Environments: Test Equipment: Wind Catcher, Grayson Invex3G, Agilent E&xx, Bluenose Units, RSAT Units, Vortex,  and CW Test Equipment. H.P. Spectrum Analyzer, Dell laptop, Ericsson. Nortel and Lucent … Software: Agilent E74xx., Actix Analyzer, Exceed Wind Catcher, Vortex, MapInfo, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, ATM Electrical Tilts for Andrew and EMS and Windows 2000, XP and Vista.

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COX/SPRINT PCS (Manpower), Irvine, California

Optimization Specialist 8/1996 to 7/1999

Promoted due to consistent high performance and exceeding goals as a Driver.  Partnered with the Optimization Team for CW Test Equipment set up and Data Capacity.  Worked with the Optimization Team for network troubleshooting and ticket resolution.  Route Data Collection for CDMA IS95/2000 Wireless Networks.  Assembled Drive Test Equipment to analyze Markov Voice and 1900 MHZ CDMA Pilot Scanning.  Post processed data using Actix Analyzer and Exceed Wind Catcher tools to troubleshoot network performance problems (i.e., dropped calls, capacity). 

·               Environments: Test Equipment: Grayson Invex3G, Agilent E7xx, Blue rose, Vortex, and CW Test Equipment, H.P. Spectrum Analyzer, Ericsson, Nortel and Lucent … Software: Agilent E74xx., Actix Analyzer 2.8, MapInfo, Excel.

 

MCDONALD DOUGLAS AIRCAFT, Long Beach, California

Assembler/Anodize2/1990 to 1/1996

Assembled interior window panels for DC-9, MD-80, MD-90 and C-17 aircraft ensuring the highest level of quality.

 

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EDUCATION:Various professional development courses at Sprint, including: RF100 and RF 200 Courses; Wireless

CDMA Engineering.

Accounting, O.M.A., Orange, California

Occupational Drafting, Long Beach, California

 

CERTIFICATIONS:RF100CDMARF200CDMA

CPR CertificationOSHA Certified Forklift Operator

Endangered Tortoise Protection Certification

 

AWARDS:Recipient, 7 “Employee of the Month” awards; four “Safe Driving” awards, Sprint.

Recipient of several “Market Launch” awards: Orange County, LA County and Inland Empire.