Dates for WWCIC meetings for 2009   Meetings will be held on the 2^nd Tuesday like always, with no meeting in August  .  The current location for regular meetings is the Washington State Patrol Office in Bellevue.

Business Reports

Chairman’s opening comments: Chairman George Bisso called the meeting to order at 9:43 am. Introductions were made around the tables.  Attendance today: 16.

Secretary-Treasurer Finance and Correspondence Reports: Starting balance in Checking $1008.46, no activity, ending balance of $1008.46.  Starting balance in Savings $685.69, interest $.19, ending balance of $685.69. Bills for Web Site hosting $107.40 and Mike’s plaque $140.16 were received.

Committee Reports

Technical Committee Report:  Suggestions for technical presentations at meetings are always welcome.  Andy from Sparling Engineering volunteered to contact Kenwood, Icom and Zetron for possible presentations.  (OPEN)

Web Site Report:  No problems noted. There was discussion about how to handle dated information on the web site. Alan will check into options to organize and archive the information. (OPEN)

FCC Report: Until the transition is over DTV is the primary focus for the FCC. The new administration has indicated they want to delay the analog TV cutoff date. The FCC has a web site for information and there are several others https://www.dtv2009.gov/                                                 http://www.dtvanswers.com/.

The Seattle office is down to one engineering person, replacements to fill the vacant positions are still being worked on.

Old Business

BPL Issues: No report. (OPEN)

150/450 MHz IX: An OPSCAN repeater station on North Point is receiving interference from an unknown source. (OPEN)

FRS Issues: Nothing new to report.  (OPEN)

700 MHz Planning & Meetings: The next meeting will be on Jan. 28 at Sparling Engineering’s Lynnwood office. A conference bridge is available for call in voice conferencing. The 700 MHz web sites are www.region43.org for Washington State, and www.region35.org, for Oregon. (OPEN)

800 MHz IX and Nextel issues: Public safety frequency recommendations have not been released yet. Wave Four areas are in mediation and discussions are going well. (OPEN)

Technical Seminars at WWCIC Meetings:  Suggestions for future seminars are welcome. (OPEN)

XM and Sirius Satellite Radio News: They are trying to increase programming material. Subscription rates are expected to go up to around $16 per month. (OPEN)

License-free or Spread-Spectrum technology issues:  Snohomish County is still evaluating the use of consumer grade 900 MHz Spread-Spectrum portable radios for interoffice communication in administrative buildings. (OPEN)

4.9 GHz: Boeing systems at their Everett and Renton plants have been up and running for some time now with no problems. (OPEN)

Amateur radio activity: The 146.92 MHz repeater has moved from Mt. Pilchuck to a lower site near Granite Falls.

New Business

There have been changes in technology and spectrum usage since our engineering standards were last reviewed. In light of this the Committee should review the current standards and update as necessary.

Joint WCTC/WWCIC Meeting

The suggested dates for a meeting with our Canadian counterparts were narrowed to June 8-19, 2009. We will contact them to see if they are willing to host. If they are not able to we will offer to host. Jerry will look into several locations around Bellingham to hold the meeting should we need it. Agenda items need to be identified in the next few months so both sides can be prepared. To better handle the logistics of meeting space and catering we will suggest prepaid registration be used.

Items of Information

The narrowband date for non Public Safety High Band and UHF radio systems is 2013.

Bosch has acquired Telex.

SNOPAC will be looking to hire a Director and Deputy Director as the positions are or soon to be vacant.  EPSCA also is looking for a new director.

Moved and seconded to adjourn at 11:32 AM.

Respectfully submitted,