Oziwifi

I was after Ekahau Certified Survey Engineer training for several years. I guess I wanted to maximize that training by having all the trade’s tools. I spent a lot of money getting a couple of VIAVI WFED300AC Wi-Fi Advisors, PineApple Tetracom, HackRF, a Fluke AirCheck 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Handheld and I saved enough money to get my own Ekahau Sidekick.

I went after Ekahau asking for ECSE last December, and I couldn’t match the time and money for taking the training in March 2019. Then COVID-19 lockdown came, and the course became a mirage. I kept asking Ekahau for the next training, and there wasn’t any date foresaw.

When Ekahau decided to deliver the ECSE training via the Internet, I jumped in joy. I had high expectations but I was both afraid and intimidated that I was going to be part of the first ECSE Internet course. A bunch of what ifs came across one week before the training.

And the training finally started! I went through the theory without problems on the first day, in the second day I nailed the first exercises, but then I fell behind because I misunderstood the tasks and I was doing too much. I kept going with the next activities on that day, and after the class, I caught up with the other exercises.

The dreaded exam day arrived! I was a bit scared of it, after all, what if I couldn’t make it? I went through all the assignments, to grasp all the concepts, so what could be wrong? I said to myself to ease my nerves. The exam’s instructions were clear; I took more time than I thought, but it was easy after doing my homework.

I am pleased about taking this training. I am doing site surveys with confidence, and I think that my wireless designs are going to be more consistent and accurate than ever.

Pieces of advice:

1. Read the material that Ekahau will share before the training starts, to refresh some concepts.
2. If you can take a week off for taking this training, take it.
3. If you can’t have a week off, you still can make it. I had to assist with some tickets, attended quick meetings, and responded to some urgent emails.
4. If you don’t push yourself, nobody is going to do it for you.

I consider ECSE training worth taking. Doing it via the Internet made it easier for me; I didn’t have to fly away from home, nor stress my family and boss for being a week off.