George Bisso called the meeting to order at 9:40.   The minutes of the September 14, 1999 meeting were reviewed and approved with one exception.  Mr. Wiswell was to report on Motorola 800 MHz trunking, not LTR/450MHz trunking.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Checking Account Balance:                        $2,841.00

Savings Account Balance:                        $1,239.11

OLD BUSINESS

Centralized/Decentralized Trunking.   The briefing by Wiz on the operation of 800 MHz trunking was deferred.  Mike from Accu-Comm will address LTR at the November meeting.

Joint Meeting With Canada.   The letter to FCC is still on hold.

Interference from Nextel IX.  Accu-Comm and Washington DOT representatives mentioned problems they are experiencing, allegedly from nearby Nextel ISDN installations. 

NEW BUSINESS

ISDN.   Discussion centered on ISDN system compliance with CFR 47, 90.691, concerning digital and analog systems operating interspersed with one another in the same frequency band and if there should be better band planning.  Harlan from DOT suggested WWCIC formulate a plan to tackle this problem.  Gary from FCC suggested using micro-cells and simulcast.  Others remarked the system must be Motorola because Johnson does not provide that capability.  Denny from FCC requested that specific complaints be sent to the FCC local office.  Wiz from City of Seattle suggested bringing this local issue to APCO as a national issue.  In all probability, similar problems exist in other areas where digital and analog signals share the same bands. Wiz will ask APCO if they have taken any action on this subject.

PCS IX on Maynard Peak.   Rich Tiedeman stated the Navy experienced interference at Maynard Peak (same as Miller Peak or E. Blyn) from a new PCS station. It was causing unacceptable harmful interference to a Navy system 200 MHz away.  The PCS system had to shut down until the interference was remedied.

NWS Items of Interest.  Ted and Marie from NWS presented a brief summary of Emergency Alerting System (EAS) and weather radio operations in this area.

·        Weather radio is expanding its coverage area using funds provided by Washington State Emergency Planning Division.  There will be nine new transmitting sites.

·        NWS is deeply involved in the government's EAS operations.

·        NWS has begun transmitting an EAS test once a month over radio weather stations.  The first test had problems although not because of NWS transmission--it was farther down line.  Solutions are forthcoming.   Jay from SNOPAC and Wiz from Seattle City are installing the EAS system.  There is confusion about how it works and where their dispatchers can obtain training.  Marie and Ted offered to provide a brief training session after the meeting.  They will also return at a later date and provide a demonstration.  Kris, FCC, invited all interested public safety agencies to attend the monthly EOC EAS meetings.

FCC Items of Interest.  Dennis Anderson reported on the following FCC issues.   Most FCC documents can be found on FCC's web site:  http:/www.fcc.gov.  If you would like a hard copy, please contact Shirley Perry.

o       Wireless 911. FCC has issued a News Release on the delay of the required implementation date for the next phase of E911, partially due to a change that allows systems to use GPS-equipped cell phones in order to meet requirements to provide phone location information for 911 calls.

Broadcast Info.  George Bisso informed the group about a plan that Fox TV has to broadcast live a jet crash in California.  It will be staged for planning purposes.

Thanks were expressed to George for the fine food he provided at the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 12:08 p.m.

Dennis Anderson

Secretary Pro-Temp