Meeting Minutes for October 14, 2003

Web Page: www.wwcic.org

Information Line Phone Number: 425-820-6271

Chairman George Bisso called the meeting to order at 0940, at WSP in Bellevue.  Introductions were made around the tables.  Vice-Chair Wiz, and Member-at-large Harlan were not able to be here today.  Welcome back to Steven Mayes.  DRAFT Minutes of the Sept 9, 2003, meeting were reviewed and approved.  Members and guests in attendance today: 14.  Please be sure to sign in at each meeting, as your Sec/Treas looks at that info every time when preparing the minutes, to get or make updates, and to yield the most current member and guest information, or to correct the e-mail distribution list. 

Financial Report

Checking Account Ending Balance

$2808.85

Savings Account Balance

$856.63

Total Bank Balance – (all accounts)

$3,665.48

Old Business

800 MHz IX   Discussion continues.  Nextel contacted Jerry Noe about some of his system frequencies that had been moved to another location, and were causing concern for them.  Nextel has filed for some 300 plus new channels in the Seattle area, both being in the high side of the 35 MHz separation.  Nextel now has service in the Wenatchee area.  Steve Leonard heard from Joe King about some IX on 160 MHz, but Nextel was not operating at the time.  Joe will be doing some further investigating.  Steve will still be working w/ WSDOT on collection of information about the systems DOT is having problems w/ IX on, along I-5.  More is expected, as our discussion continues, w/ fresh updates at each meeting.  This is quite abbreviated, & more information was covered.  Please come to the meetings to get the most from what is discussed, as it is just not practical, even though the meeting discussions are taped, to get the whole discussion into an interpreted form by your Sec/Treas.  (OPEN)

700 MHz Planning Meetings   Per Kris McGowan, the last meeting was cancelled.  Recall, the conference phone number is (253) 512-7310.  The 700 MHz 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 the web sites.   Be sure to check them for the latest information in this important planning step for both 700 and 800 MHz use in the future.  (OPEN)

WWCIC web site   Alan Robinson got a “hit” counter on our site to total the number of visits that are made.  He presented an invoice for the Web hosting fee, for Oct-Dec 31, for $54.00, to continue our service through year-end.  The membership had previously authorized a 5-year term of service for this feature.  The bill will be promptly paid.  (ALWAYS OPEN)

Technical Seminars at meetings   Pat Buller was prepared to continue his tech-talk about antennas, but the business carried over past 1100.  Perhaps next month, Pat.  (OPEN)

XM and Sirius Satellite Radio  Per George, the XM system is looking for a million customers by end of 2004 to break even.  XM has been quite responsive nationwide in protecting their equipment and controlling IX.  Sirius is in financial difficulties.

APCO  No report this month.

Unlicensed or Spread-Spectrum  These bands are getting crowded.  Per Chuck Zappala, there is so much activity even in discussions, that it is difficult to keep up on what is current.  The controversy continues between Information Technologists and Radio Engineers over how to handle the situations that come along.

Elections  Responding to Sec/Treas Loren Postma’s announcement of resignation of the position by Dec 31, 2003, the group considered nominations, discussed alternatives, and resolved to put elections off until November.  Volunteers are sought; nominations can be phoned or e-mailed to any of the present Officers.  Any names will be brought forth at the Nov meeting.  George offered his services for another term as Chair, should the membership favorably consider it.

New Business

Interference noted on 48 MHz   Pat Buller brought attention to IX problem to City of Tacoma Water at Grass Mt, a DNR site, on 48.48.  Jerry Noe also noted problems on 48.42 with higher noise.  Pat expects more investigation over the next month.

3 Things from Chuck Z:

FCC changes in FRS Rules?

Need to get more information on BPL issues

IX on 450 MHz channels affecting Boeing

Items of Information

FCC  

Kris McGowan had nothing to report.  She told about doing a presentation to High school classes, and surprise that about 80% of students responded to yes to an inquiry about whether they had cell phones.

All the e-mail addresses for FCC staff have been changed, to a new style.  They are using the full name of the staff member, and are case sensitive.  Example: Dennis.Anderson@fcc.gov is the new appearance.  Full name, appropriately caps, dotgov.  Hopefully, not too confusing.

Miscellaneous

Nothing brought forward

Meeting adjourned at 1120.  Next meeting is on Tuesday, November 11, 2003, at WSP in Bellevue.  See the WWCIC web page for details about our regular meetings and directions to the locations.  Thanks to everyone for your interest and support for WWCIC.   

Respectfully submitted,

Your most humble Secretary/Treasurer,

Loren H. Postma

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