Training to be a Technical Writer

Doing different roles

From the start of my 5 year electronic craft apprenticeship, every Friday I wrote up what I had done and learned. Spent 2 years on Radar and Auto-Pilot Systems. One year on Laser cutting, Star Identification and Resolver assembly and test.

Understanding how something worked

Helped me write better descriptions of modules and systems or modules and applications. This helped do these roles from Test Engineer. To Technical Writer, Quality Engineer, Support Engineer, Process Analyst and Trainer.

Doppler Radar Applications

Started with Doppler Radar subsystems and complete systems for Decca and Racal. Radar Systems used in Helicopters and Small Boats, like Fishing Boats. In both cases the transmitted signals bounce off the targets. Show the outline shape of these objects. Like Shawls of fish out at sea.

X-Ray Systems

Then moved to EMI as line Team Lead on Head and Body Scanners. Both used high voltage multipliers. To make the Klystron oscillate at the required frequency. The higher frequency would give a finer grained picture of the object, in this case the human skull or body. Calibrated using both wooden models and cleaned human bones.

TV and Radio Stations

Next moved to the EMI/Varian Klystron manufacturing plant. Worked with the operators to produce manuals for each machine. Covering operation, assembly and disassembly with descriptions, diagrams and photos. Since most of the operators were retiring and their knowledge would have been lost. These machines used RF Heating. To weld different metals together used in the Klystron valves. High pressure water cooled the RF Heating area at 100 to 150psi.

Technical Manuals

After building and testing and doing write ups and filing change notes. For any faults found and corrected. These formed the contents of draft technical manuals that covered the build, test and handover, servicing and maintenance.

Technology Changes

Podcasts and YouTube Videos have replaced Radio and TV Stations. You can do it from Home over the internet.

Support Engineer and Process Analyst Tasks

Worked for GE(USA) in Frankfurt, Germany. Based at Exxon Petro-Chemical Plant at Euro-Port with a Senior Engineer as my Mentor. With 2,000+ sensors connected to the process computers.

Online Service and Maintenance Logs

The towers had sensors from the bottom to the top and the high temperatures causing damage over time. Maintenance covered setting up test configurations. For new sensors or computer cards on standby systems and swapping them with the live systems.

London Central and Jubilee Lines Tube Train Sets

At GEC/Alsthom being British and French companies. Worked on London Central and Jubilee Lines Tube Train Sets. Writing driver, brake and engine control specifications. Then moved to Software Quality covering the software produced from the specifications.

Electro-Magnetic-Compatibility

Finally moved and restarted the EMC Group with two honours graduates. This covered testing interference transmitted from the engines. Screening it to stop interference. To the Emergency Services, like Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade. Line testing restricted to between 02:00 and 06:00.

Support Engineer and Trainer Tasks

During exercises, I moved every 4 hours for 6 weeks. Fixed the mobile computer/ communications systems. Trained the users from private to staff officer. With User interest growing. When they discovered there were plenty of roles for them in civvy street. When they finished their service term. During a demonstration removed mud from the computer box. Fired it up in front of the visitors and it kicked into life.

Lessons Learned

Buy an old PC to take apart and rebuild or do the same with Lego kits. Write down each step and then add descriptions to these steps. Like internal cables for speakers, disc drive power and data and monitor. Then review and think about the title for the manual. Subtitles and don’t forget about battery replacement on the motherboard.

Gaining an understanding of how something works. Helps you write about the product or service. Then you can describe the benefits for the organisation. When operating the product or service and for the end users. Also if it’s in the public domain what are the political benefits.

If you have an interest in what you're going to write about. It is easier to do the research and lay it out on the table or floor and change the order. When you start writing and adding subtitles or section titles. You might then change the order of your content. At the end of the day it’s what you are happy with and it complies with the Corporate Style.?