Chairman George Bisso called the meeting to order at 0933.  Introductions were made around the tables.  DRAFT Minutes of the Jan 8, 2002 meeting were reviewed, and approved.  George won’t be able to attend the April meeting, as has a conflict with NAB.

FINANCIAL REPORT

  OLD BUSINESS

800 MHz IX   Discussion centered around issues about the Nextel ‘white paper’, which did not address high power levels blanketing nearby radios of other services.  Spectrum availability 698-746 MHz and re-locating some services might hold possibility of some relief for public and private systems.  The folks in Washington DC, need to hear from users.  Steve Leonard spoke of some different MTS 2000 radios, with circuit board modifications, which may show improvements in selectivity, and more general research/testing in the Factoria area is to follow.  Jon Wiswell spoke about Seattle doing more testing using mod “D” radios, and more discussion with Nextel is continuing.  There are problems of Intermod, high signal levels, and even mixes with cellular providers as possible trouble areas, not just mixes between Public Safety systems and Nextel.  Pat Buller mentioned issues in APCO and Utilities that may conflict in suggested solutions, as each entity is looking out for the users they represent.  There are also issues of incompatible technology, mentioned by Jerry Noe, with 220 MHz, and 800 MHz types of equipment.  In some cases, FCC may seem to be espousing  “broadband” solutions.  Steve Leonard gave info about Nextel sites, power levels, and offered to do a technical presentation about the iDEN technology at a later meeting.  Discussion ensued about possible questions, whether Nextel could provide a Management representative to attend a meeting, or whether that was needed.  Leonard will prepare info about power levels, and several examples were cited, with most Nextel sites using 10 watts output to 10-12 db gain antennas.  Highest site powers are around 70 watts, handsets operate at 0.5 watts and with –2db insertion, yield about 100 milliwatts out.  Several members spoke of their own experiences.  George summarized: the real issue is incompatible technologies that have a hard time living next to each other.  What is the solution?  Can or should we spread the frequencies, lower power levels, isolate the services?  Until something is done, the problems will continue, service by service.  Some discussion reviewed processes the cellular companies use when customers report problems.  Trouble tickets generate particular responses from different functional areas within a company, depending on whether it’s a coverage, capacity, site, or educational issue.  George suggested a pre-planned presentation, or even a series of them, that our group can announce ahead of time.   A motion passed, to have a Nextel presentation at the May meeting.  We must get questions to Steve Leonard by May 1.  There is a possibility that the May presentation might precipitate a letter to Congress from our Group, on what direction we’d like to see Governmental action on in the future.  ((Loren is bringing a number of articles, from various sources discussing the issue, and some responses to the Nextel ‘white paper’, along to the March meeting))     (OPEN)

700 MHz Planning Meetings   Wiz mentioned new web sites for tracking the activity in Washington and Oregon around the 700 MHz possibilities.  They are www.region43.org, and www.region35.org, respectively.  Planning activities are happening, and regular meetings are on going.  ((Kevin Kearns sent some info in an e-mail on 3/8, which Loren will have available at the March meeting))  Contact Jon Wiswell or Pat Buller for more info.  (OPEN)

Joint Meeting 2002   There was brief discussion about WCTC.   Canada would normally host this year, as last was at Sudden Valley.  Kris McGowan contacted Bob Fedoruk, Industry Canada, to initiate communication about the joint meeting and WCTC, but wasn’t present at the meeting to discuss.  Suggested topics and questions should begin to be developed.  Loren will continue work on contacting counterparts from last year’s list.  (OPEN)

WWCIC regular meeting location   We will continue to meet at the Washington State Patrol facility through the end of 2002.  Members are welcome to suggest alternative facilities.  Refer to the WWCIC web site for detailed directions to this location.  (CLOSED)

Bulletin Board Line and WWCIC web site   The bulletin board line is shut down.  Alan Robinson will update the web-site Officer’s page, and will be the e-mail contact, if a person wishes to send info or ask questions of the organization, as shown in multiple places on various pages of the WWCIC site.  (OPEN)

Technical Seminars at meetings   There is continuing interest in the “seminars”, that were proposed some time ago, to be presented at our meetings.  Wiz did one previously on trunked radio technology.  There should be more discussion, about other subjects. (OPEN)

New Business

WWCIC Bank Accounts   Loren mentioned asking about potential changes in the way the checking and savings accounts are handled.   Some information was gathered when visiting the bank to get materials for updating the account signature card.  A motion was passed to work up an annual budget, and review the non-profit status and dues needs of the organization, to see if there are any implications to making changes to the accounts.  Loren will bring back results of the analyses.

Items of Information

FCC   Dennis Anderson spoke about enhanced antenna registration, and tower lighting improvements made to the Internet databases, and better queries response.  Several enforcement items were announced.  Unsolicited Fax’s were discussed, and one British company had a large fine levied for violations.  Most FCC documents can be found on FCC’s website www.fcc.gov.  If you would like help, or like to know how to get hard copy, please contact Dennis Anderson.  

Miscellaneous

George mentioned about DBS (digital broadcast service) terrestrial repeaters, and a database being set up.  High power is used at some sites, 1.6-2.3 GHz, with one mentioned running 35KW.  NAB wants to limit proliferation of that kind of subscription services.  Pat Buller reiterated about how important measurements of ambient noise floor, and keeping records are.  George also mentioned a no-host lunch meeting of SBE, on 2/14/2002, discussing IBOC (in band on channel) issues.  Can the FM broadcast industry make use of lower power?  There might be possible sites that could drop from 100 KW down to 30, and still cover their areas.  Loren removed Steve Safarik from the e-mail list, as several bounce-backs indicate he isn’t at the record address.

The meeting adjourned at 11:18.  Thanks to everyone for your interest and support for WWCIC.  

Loren H. Postma

Secretary/Treasurer