Next Meeting. The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 10, 1999, 9:30 a.m., at the new KLSY/KIXI Studios in Bellevue.  Please note that this is NOT the same location where we had been meeting!  Directions.

George Bisso called the meeting to order at 9:50. He welcomed everyone to the new studios and offered to give a tour after the meeting. The minutes of the December 8, 1998 meeting were reviewed and approved.

Checking Account Balance: $489.62

Savings Account Balance: $3,542.32

Nextel IX to SMR. There has been no change in status since the last meeting. Nextel is still causing interference.

Meeting with Canada. Spencer said he has not yet arranged the meeting between 800-900 MHz users from our area and users of the Canadian ECON system. Hopefully, it will happen sometime this quarter. Let Shirley know if you have an agenda item.

Cross Border Frequency Coordination. Denny has been in contact with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) and International Bureau (IB) regarding frequency coordination from Industry Canada for areas near or north of Line A. He learned that approximately 50% of new applications are being rejected by Industry Canada; likewise, around 50% of new Canadian applications are being disapproved by FCC. The matter has gotten attention and is now an agenda item at the next international meeting. Denny stated there is no need to send a WWCIC representative at this time. He also urged members to give him specifics about frequency coordination problems they have encountered. So far he has received only one input.

Pioneer Cab Adjacent Co-Channel IX. FCC has investigated and is taking enforcement action against Gray Top Taxi. Joe Young stated he is still getting interference, although no longer from Gray Top's data transmission. It sounds like a CB'er.

1999 Dues. After discussion, it was decided that dues would remain at $25.00. Shirley will be sending out dues statements soon.

1999 WWCIC/WCTC Meeting. Our Canadian counterparts expressed a desire at the 1998 meeting for us to brief topics from APCO. APCO's June meeting is a local training session and apparently does not address major issues. The APCO International Conference is held August 8-12, 1999. The question was raised as to whether we should wait until after the August APCO meeting to hold the joint WWCIC/WCTC meeting. The general feeling was that we should not wait since APCO is a public safety group and we are mainly concerned with resolving interference problems. Also considered was the fact that major changes or rulemakings come from FCC. Shirley will contact WCTC to discuss this.

In addition, members were of the opinion that we should solicit a guest speaker from FCC headquarters to address frequency coordination and other significant issues. It was agreed that WWCIC would pay expenses if necessary. Denny Anderson will contact WTB and IB with this proposal.

US Frequency Coordination. Pat Buller expressed concern about the frequency coordination procedures for government agencies and other entities. His comments add to the complaints that coordinators are giving out any frequency requested, regardless of service or other licensees in the same geographic area.

PCS Interference to Washington State. Pat Buller commented on an interference problem that affected Washington State Patrol from a PCS provider that has leased space on Washington State's microwave towers. It affected FEMA 2-10 MHz single sideband operation and turned out to be originating from Sprint PCS. Sprint/Lucent Technology representatives remarked that their installation is using one of Lucents old designs. They plan to make tests and advise Washington State Patrol. Lucent has been warned that if Washington State Patrol loses communications, they will be shut down. A report was sent to FCC.

Interference to Radio Link Customers. Dennis Reanier relayed an interference problem in South King County on 159 MHz from data communications. Several customers are affected and strength varies by location. He has forwarded the interference problem to FCC. Another problem with a courier customer in downtown has been resolved.

FCC Items of Interest. Dennis Anderson briefed on the following topics. Most FCC documents can be found on FCC's web site: http:/www.fcc.gov

• Radio Antenna Structures. FCC warned owners of antenna structures to strictly comply with lighting and marking rules after a second incident in less than a month where a helicopter ambulance nearly hit an unlit radio antenna. FCC CIB Chief stated that FCC will not tolerate non-compliance.
• Reallocation of TV Channels 60-69. TVs in this band will be protected and will not be forced to move until DTV is fully implemented in 2006.
• Interference to Public Safety Microwave from Weather Radar. A case was cited about interference from weather radar operated by a broadcast station. If you have a problem in this area, let Denny know.
• 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review. FCC granted extension of time to file comments filed by the Land Mobile Communications Council in regard to replacement of Part 90 by Part 88 and examination of exclusivity and frequency assignment policies of the private land mobile services.
• Slamming (Unauthorized Switching of Long Distance Service). FCC has adopted new anti-slamming rules and issued fines against several long distance companies. The Seattle office has been instrumental in collecting evidence.
• Pirate Stations. A station that called itself KYZK-FM 94.5 and AM 910 Everett, repeatedly bragged on the Internet about eluding the FCC and announced, again on the Internet, in December that it had been shut down by three FCC agents. The station turned out to be bogus. Seattle agents have monitored the last 4 months and never heard the station. In addition, no FCC agents paid a visit to this phantom station.
• Low Power FM Radio. FCC has created a new website containing information on the issue of whether they should authorize future low per FM radio service for local communities. It is www.fcc.gov/mmb/prd/lpfm.

The meeting adjourned at 11:20.

Shirley Perry