Chairman George Bisso called the meeting to order at 0936.   Introductions were made around the tables.  DRAFT Minutes of the Dec 10, 2002, meeting were reviewed and approved.  Yes, they were really short!   Again, thanks for the wonderful Seasonal Lunch provided.  All who attended, as well as quite a few WSP staff around at the right time, enjoyed it. Members and guests in attendance today: 16, but only 15 signed in.  (I missed Don Jones-sorry-LP) I can’t remember whom I forgot…and I didn’t pick it up off the tape.  Sorry.  Please be sure to sign in, as your Sec/Treas looks at that info each time preparing the minutes, to get the most current member information.

Financial Report

Old Business

800 MHz IX   Discussion continues regarding the 800 MHz proposals.  Jerry Noe reported the site in Bellingham, at the YMCA, is not interfering as much as the one at St Jo hospital.  No clear picture of why the difference.  Nextel has not moved to 900 yet in the area (?).  Unfortunately, Steve Leonard was not present to ask about it.  The collection of articles collected by Loren, about 800 MHz issues, is available for perusal at each meeting.  ((The collection is substantial, and everyone is encouraged to review each month.  Please come early, or stay after.))   (OPEN)

700 MHz Planning Meetings   No New information.  The web sites are www.region43.org for Washington State, and www.region35.org, for Oregon, respectively.  Contact Jon “Wiz” Wiswell, Pat Buller or Kevin Kearns for more info.  Meeting schedules and past meeting minutes are on their web sites.  Be sure to check there, for the latest information.  (OPEN)

WWCIC web site   No new issues.  (ALWAYS OPEN)

Technical Seminars at meetings   Discussion centered on the idea for 45-50 min sessions, possibly every other month, after the business meeting.  A break for refreshments and the presenter to set up, then proceed.  The room can be available until 1300, if needed, but it was concluded most attendees couldn’t stay past noon.  Keep the focus on IX issues, as that is our mission.  A possibility for the March meeting may be a presentation on BDA’s, as Kim Torp-Pedersen has a contact w/ TXR or Antenna Specialties.  Also possible for May, could be someone from Larson Antennas.  A committee was formed, consisting of Pat Buller, Harlan Ohlson, and George Bisso, along w/ “member-at-large” Kim Torp-Pedersen, to work on the programs for future technical presentations.  Jerry Noe may have something from PAR radio for later on.  Loren mentioned that he sends all the minutes along to IECIC, and if they are interested in attending any of our tech sessions, they are informed.  Loren also reviewed the last Nov 12, 2002, minutes from IECIC.  (OPEN)

XM Radio    Per George, Sirius has some financial challenge, and borrowed $450 M.  Sirius has been pretty quiet lately, and also may have some $ trouble.   (OPEN)

Planning for WWCIC/WCTC Joint meeting 2003     George contacted Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, about space, costs and food.  He hasn’t gotten anything further from them, but did send e-mail, and expects to hear from Valerie.  The price should be about $20.  Loren will contact Keith Bandy about focusing in on the date in the second week of June.  It will likely be either June 10, 11, or 12.  A vote was taken, and unanimous approval was made to declare Semiahmoo as the selected location for 2003.  Kris McGowan and Jayson Clairmont had previously agreed to help w/ arrangements.  We should also begin to develop our ideas for discussion content.  Forward questions or concerns to the Officers, or bring them to the meetings.  Check your calendars for any potential conflicts, and as a late breaking development, it appears that June 11, Wednesday, will work for the WCTC group.  We will likely vote on it at the Feb meeting.  (OPEN)

APCO report or news   Pat Buller announced the Western Regional APCO Conference is Feb 10-14, 2003, in Las Vegas.  He has a copy of the program.  Also, the 2004 Regional conference will be in Spokane, WA.  Contact Pat for more APCO-related details.  APCO has a lot if information on their web site, at www.apcointl.org/.  The web site for the Western Regional conference is www.NVAPCO.org.  (OPEN)

New Business

Date for the Nov 2003 meeting   What about the conflict for date of the November WWCIC meeting?  Oh, you have a Holiday on November 11, and aren’t going to show up at the WWCIC?  Well, the subject was discussed, and after due consideration, a vote decided to hold the month’s meeting on WEDNESDAY, Nov 12, 2003.  Your group in action!

Elections  Since, except for Chairman George Bisso, the present slate of Officers’ terms had all expired in Oct 2002, a decision was needed about going forward.  After some discussion, a train whistle was heard in the background.  Is there a ‘railroad’ nearby?  A unanimous vote selected the present Officers to continue serving until the next election.  Elections are usually held in Sept or October, with terms running October to October of each year.  Only the Chairman has a 2-year term, with all others on one-year terms, as described in the Constitution and By-laws.  Hopefully, the group will move onward effectively.  Thanks for your confidence in the present slate.  Just to make it clear, the Officers and their terms are as follows:  Chairman- George Bisso, has a 2-year term, elected in Dec 2001, with term expiring in Oct 2003.  Vice Chair- Jon “Wiz” Wiswell, Sec/Treas- Loren Postma, Member-at-Large #1- Steve Mayes, Member-at-Large #2- Harlan Ohlson, FCC Representative- Dennis Anderson.  All of the Officer’s terms will expire in Oct 2003.  Please think about the future of your WWCIC.

Unlicensed Spread-Spectrum systems, and Noise Floor Measurements  Pat Buller talked about how the systems are proliferating, some Engineers have written papers promoting wide-band systems.  Curt Kyle mentioned noise floor measurements, a topic touched upon often at the meetings.  How can sites be monitored effectively, and what specifications should be used to keep measurements consistent?  What sites are of highest interest?  Since RF emissions are a regulated item by FCC, perhaps noise floor measurements should coincide with RF measurements.  Are there 10-12 key locations in Western WA that should be tracked?  Suggestions to set up a noise floor database were mentioned, but it really comes back to each site’s personal Company records, or individual technician’s responsibility.  There is no single right way, only something that can be repeated, and use the same equipment each time, to achieve a relative reading, and see if the site is worse or better than the last time.  Pat mentioned that until a couple years ago, all the WSP sites had noise floor records.   George commented on how important it is to keep your own readings, and document how the readings were made.  He has a record of his sites at 90, 160, 400 MHz, and 2.4 GHz.  What is “acceptable” IX?  It certainly is an issue worthy of concern, and further discussion may reveal other ideas.

Items of Information

FCC   Mike Rothe spoke for FCC today.  There are continuing telecom and tower issues.  A ‘pirate’ was curtailed in Kent, on 97.3 FM.  CB’ers are using linears, and others are failing to inspect their systems.  FCC visits have stopped quite a number of violations.  Tower lighting and painting continue to be emphasized by FCC, and some companies are encountering “voluntary contributions” for their violations.  Talk to any of the FCC staff to understand what a “voluntary contribution” refers to.  Most FCC documents can be found on FCC’s website www.fcc.gov.  If you would like help with documents, please contact Dennis Anderson.

George is starting up a 406.850 MHz link on Squawk Mt to Capital Peak on 162.475.  The date is pending FCC license approval to turn on. 

Meeting adjourned at 1119.  Next meeting is on Feb 11, 2003, again at the WSP District Office in Bellevue.  See the WWCIC web page for detailed directions to the location.  Thanks to everyone for your interest and support for WWCIC.  

Respectfully submitted,

Your most humble Secretary/Treasurer,

Loren H. Postma