Vice-Chair Gerald Broerman called the meeting to order at 9:40.  Introductions were made.  Copies of notes from the Sept 11 meeting were reviewed, but not formally approved as minutes.  (Minutes for the June 12, July 10, and Sept 11 meetings have not been produced, except as rough notes taken by member Loren Postma.  Their eventual reduction to a finished form is expected, but your patience is requested)  Shirley Perry’s departure from FCC, and as WWCIC Secretary, has slowed the process, and the usual timely distributions we all had become accustomed to.  Chairman Mayes took over the chair at 0945.

FINANCIAL REPORT

  OLD BUSINESS

800 MHz IX-  (5/8/01)Jerry Noe reported that Nextel is dealing with the interference issues one at a time as they are brought up.  Jon Wiswell reported that Nextel said they would have a dialog set up with the proper people in the NW region to deal with the issues.   (Open)  (4/10/01)The Mercer site is having filtering, antenna and power levels adjusted to correct interference problems.   (Open)

900 MHz IX.  Tacoma Power interference by Verizon reduced from 35db to 6 db levels after 3^rd party was brought in to assist.  (Open)

700 MHz Planning Meetings.  (4/10/01)Bylaws were created at the last meeting.  WSP may possibly make the information available on the website.  The next meeting is May 30^th in Yakima.  Contact Jon Wiswell for the facility address.  (10/9/01)  700 MHz- Wiz has seen some info about another meeting of the committees studying these issues.  The State of WA has submitted for 700 MHz frequencies, but FCC has not issued licenses.  E-mail Wiz for further info.  Work will continue.  (Open)

NEW BUSINESS

Security issues- Since the Sept 11th meeting was on the day the terrorists struck, today, several items of interest about re-emphasized security for communications facilities were discussed.  Agencies are reviewing procedures and contingency plans.  (Open)

Nextel Report- Steve Leonard of Nextel gave a report on activities in the Vancouver, WA to Eugene, OR area, reviewing progress eliminating IX issues between Nextel and Public Safety systems.  Re-tuning sites, and aligning channel sets has reduced 3rd and 5th order Intermod.  The de-sensing problems have lessened.  Work is continuing.  The Seattle area is also being reviewed.  Tests using some existing 800 MHz radios show there are ways to improve response, lessen de-sensing, by using special filters.  Results also show there is significant difference in receivers among the various manufacturers, so be careful about specifications, when acquiring new equipment.  Price differences often indicate a degree of technical difference too.  Special cautions apply when using the lowest-cost alternatives.  Jon Wiswell discussed some previous tests on 450 MHz, using certain products which wouldn't work in downtown Seattle, but were ok in less populated areas.  There was trouble with receiver-generated IM, so particular attention and scrutiny is needed, for sensitivity levels, and specifications.  Sometimes, the spec doesn't tell the whole story.  A note to check Industry Canada's Strategis web-site, using RS-125, for general specs on receivers, was made.  APCO Project 39 will be addressing receiver specs also. 

APCO 39 Project-  Loren Postma noted that Kevin Kearns had planned a status report on Project 39, but was unable to attend today.

IX on 3.25 MHz-  Pat Buller noted an interference issue on 3.25 MHz, suspecting a cordless phone base unit, and reported the problem to FCC.  Other discussion included imported hi-power cordless phones, Winegaard RV amplifiers, military exercises of radio/communications equipment, since the heightened security awareness due to terrorism, and increased wait times at border crossings.  (Open)

WWCIC Secretary position-  Since Shirley Perry has resigned from FCC, the WWCIC Secretary-Treasurer position has not been filled.  Loren Postma will continue to make meeting notes, and Denny Anderson will be contacted concerning whether FCC can continue to provide staff in this area, since the last two people in the position were from the FCC office.  Mike Rothe brought some records information from the FCC office, which was given to Steve Mayes.  Review will continue.  No formal action was taken.  (Open)

WWCIC Web-site  Alan Robinson noted that the WWCIC web-site is not working, as of yesterday (10/8).  The server may have been merged, sold, or otherwise service curtailed.  He is reviewing further, to get the site going again.  The attendees want the site working, and authorized Alan latitude in dealing with what is needed to get reliable service.  Jack Manon also offered his help, with other hosting alternatives, if needed.  (Open)

Items of Information

Misc-  Paging Auction #40 is coming up, and quite a few frequencies are involved, across a wide portion of the spectrum, according to Jack Manon.  No one at the meeting recognized the e-mail address of "ballou1@earthlink.net".  Loren  should send another notice, and if no response, drop the name from the addr list.  Jay Schmierer mentioned that he had reserved the WSP meeting rooms for WWCIC up through June 2002.  Further consideration about future meeting locations will be re-visited at next month's meeting.  (Open)

FCC Issues / Info-  Mike Rothe reviewed the “Private Land Mobile Construction & Operation Audit Letter” forms that many agencies have been receiving.  The effort to update all the FCC data about licenses will go on for 6 months, but the batches of letters must be responded to in 60 days.  If you are knowledgeable about license concerns, discuss within your organizations to be sure any letters from FCC get to the right people for responses.  Public Notice 25967, also titled DA 01-1575,  discusses these letters.  Fines and Forfeitures have been made in several areas.  Antenna structure registrations, lighting, paint, and height violations are under scrutiny.  Check the regulations for your sites.  Large fines have been assessed against some telecomm carriers for "slamming".  There is a new NPRM about number portability for wireless phones used to make 911 calls.  There are "holds" on Ultra Wide-band systems due to IX to gov't spectrum, and also 3G take-overs of some frequencies, due to needs by Dept of Defense.    Other FCC issues can be viewed on the FCC web-site.  That is found at:  www.fcc.gov .

The meeting was adjourned at 11:15.

Minutes submitted by Loren Postma