Next Meeting. The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 9, 1999, 9:30 a.m., at the new KLSY/KIXI Studios in Bellevue.  Directions.

Minutes of February 9, 1999 Meeting

George Bisso called the meeting to order at 9:45. The minutes of the January 12, 1999 meeting were reviewed and approved.  

Checking Account Balance: $2,681.62

Savings Account Balance: $1,345.64

PCS Interference to Washington State. Pat Buller provided an update. Lucent Technologies and Sprint have conflicting theories as to what's causing interference to the Washington State Patrol (WSP) microwave towers on 2-20 Mhz. The initial determination from Lucent was that the problem stemmed from a defective power supply box, whereas the Sprint representative thought it was a bad T-1 line. Lucent is conducting simulations in their east coast compliance laboratories and will send a team to Washington for an on-site visit to complete any necessary modifications.

Nextel IX to SMR. Dennis Anderson reported that there is relatively little change in the status of interference to Wiztronics' customers by Nextel. All co-channel interference has ceased with the possible exception of one in the Puget Sound area. Dennis has been in contact with the Motorola engineer regarding the continuing adjacent channel interference. When Motorola resolves a similar problem in Washington County, Oregon, the engineer has pledged to proceed to Bellingham to work on that issue. Jerry Noe described some of the obstacles and challenges he has faced in dealing with Nextel and stated the interference occurs within 1-1/2 mile of each site. The Nextel interference problem is also being addressed by other groups and entities throughout the US where the problem exists.

Meeting with Canada. Spencer Bahner has arranged the meeting between 800-900 MHz users from our area and users of the Canadian E-COMM system. It will be on March 24, from 9:30-3:30, at the Electric Building (PUD admin building) in Everett. The primary topic of discussion will be how the E-COMM system will affect public safety. If you would like to attend, RSVP to Spencer at sbahner@ci.everett.wa.us or call 425-257-8538.

1999 WWCIC/WCTC Meeting. Dennis Anderson has been in contact with the International Bureau (IB) and received positive indication that a representative from IB would attend the WWCIC/WCTC meeting this year if expenses were paid. Wiz made a motion that WWCIC pay expenses if it did not exceed $1,500.00. The motion was seconded and it was voted unanimously to pay expenses. Inputs were requested for topics of discussion for the speaker from FCC Headquarters. Those members not at the meeting are also urged to provide suggested topics. Shirley will contact Tom Lam at WCTC for comments and see if there is a possibility that a representative from Industry Canada-Ottawa could attend. Topics suggested thus far are Canadian Versus US on Channels 60-69 and Cross Border Frequency Coordination. Wiz also made a request that representatives from Inland Empire Cooperative Interference Committee in eastern Washington be invited. Shirley will work on reserving the conference facility for June 8, 1999.

800 Mhz Cross Border Interference. Dennis Anderson briefed us on the current status. The four frequency pairs that Nextel and Valley Comm swapped solved a major portion of the interference problem to Victoria Mobile; however, two pairs still remain a problem on McDonald Mountain. A switch with two from Grass Mountain was tested but interference was just as bad. Industry Canada is now pushing for reduction of power.

Spectrum Management Seminar. Rich Tiedeman attended a US Navy/Marine Spectrum Management Seminar meeting in San Diego last week. He will brief on items of interest at the next meeting.

Interference to Washington State Patrol Repeater. Pat Buller stated that their repeater on Squak Mountain is receiving interference from US Customs output frequency 165.7625 MHz. When Customs keys on, the repeater locks up until they get off. It's somewhat of a dilemma since US agencies are regulated by NTIA instead of FCC; thusly, US Customs is not obligated to follow site standards. Luckily, the interference is not occurring frequently at this time. The technician for Customs is located in San Diego. He will come up to check out the problem if he can get travel approval. Perry Wheeler ran an intermod on his computer at the meeting. George offered to assist when the technician arrives on site.

Western Wireless. George reported that Western Wireless is putting up a huge microwave facility on Tiger Mountain. If anyone has a problem, contact Western Wireless in Bothell.

ID on Trunked System. Wiz inquired about the correct way to ID on a mobile trunked system. Dennis Anderson responded that the call sign must match the assigned frequency. In regard to digital communications, the ruling from FCC headquarters was identification must be by English voice or Morse code.

National Weather Service (NWS) Transmitter. George is still looking for a site to relocate the NWS transmitter.

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. Public Notice dated 1/13/99 warned that antenna owners may face possible monetary forfeitures or other enforcement action if all existing, unregistered antenna structures that require registration under Part 17 are not registered immediately. Structures are also required to display special paint colors. For information about the color chart, contact Hale Color Charts, Inc., 11765 Old Federick Road, Marriottsville, MD 21104, telephone 800-777-1225, or see web site www.halecolorcharts.com. Price for a single chart is $60.00 or three charts for $150.00.
• Low Power FM Radio. In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC proposed to license new 1000 watt and 100 watt low power FM (LPFM) radio stations and sought comment on establishing a third "microradio" class at power levels from 1-10 watts. A number of interference protection criteria will be proposed to help insure that new low power FM service would protect existing radio services and preserve the technical integrity of radio service.
• Forfeitures. Battery City Car and Limousine Service, Inc. (location unknown) was ordered to pay $20,000 for violations of Sections 90.113 and/or 90.135(a)(5), and 90.425.
• 800 MHz. In a Public Notice dated 1/5/99, FCC sought comment on request for waiver by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and GPU Energy to permit sharing of a statewide 800 MHz system by public safety and industrial/land transportation eligibles.
•  Spread Spectrum. While investigating a co-channel interference case in Dayton, Washington, Dennis learned from a radio technician that two Part 15 users in the little town of Wilbur, Washington were using the same type of equipment and frequencies so that spread spectrum format was the same for both users. The result was interference to both parties.

The meeting adjourned at 11:40.

Shirley Perry