Chairman George Bisso called the meeting to order at 0933.  Introductions were made around the tables.  DRAFT Minutes of the Feb 12, 2002, meeting were reviewed, and approved. 

FINANCIAL REPORT

  OLD BUSINESS

800 MHz IX   Harlan Ohlson reported that WSDOT was getting good cooperation from Nextel, working with Steve Leonard, on problems in the Seattle area, near Spokane St.  The FCC mentioned an unidentified interference problem, Dodge Ridge area, at 868.9750 MHz.  On-channel IX, a data control channel.  They are planning to go out with Harlan shortly after the meeting.  That’s fast service!  George again suggested  pre-planned presentations, or even a series of them, that our group can announce ahead of time.   A Nextel presentation is planned for the May 14^th meeting.  We must get questions to Steve Leonard by May 1.  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.  The concern continues…  ((Loren has a number of articles, from various sources discussing the issues, and some examples of others’ responses to the Nextel ‘white paper’, if anyone should like to review or make copies of them.))     (OPEN)

700 MHz Planning Meetings   The web sites are www.region43.org, and www.region35.org, respectively.  Planning activities are happening, and regular meetings are on-going.   Contact Jon “Wiz” Wiswell, Pat Buller or Kevin Kearns for more info.  ((The easy way is just go highlight the names from the headers of the e-mail you regularly get from WWCIC, and copy/paste into your new message.  Loren “knows” you are all pros at e-mail, and he keeps all the addresses right up-to-date in the master address database he maintains.  It’s a lot easier than trying to catch your contact of choice on the phone, or dealing with the ‘ever-present voice-mail’ we all love so well.  Hey, it’s really not that bad…))  (OPEN)

Joint Meeting 2002   There was brief discussion about WCTC.   Canada would normally host this year, as last year was at Sudden Valley.  Suggested topics and questions should be flowing in.  Several were mentioned:

1.)   Cross-border testing and license issues.  One application Jerry Noe put in was rejected when 150 watts was changed to1500.  Better coordination with Canada is desired, with some way to proof what goes back and forth.  Willingness to accept locally prepared paperwork, or back-up copies seem like a way mistakes could be minimized.  Is there a different point of view from Canada?  The greatest Canadian spectrum saturation is in the greater Vancouver area, and further discussion ensued on specific problems encountered.  Similar issues seem common along other areas near-border, such as Chicago, and Detroit, where high power is used on both sides.

2.)   What is the process for license filings: FCC and Canada?  Are there common “hard” areas, or “kinks” that could be avoided?  Knowing about some “red flags” that stall or interrupt the process or that the licensing agencies get ‘nervous’ about would be helpful.

3.)   When will Canadian 700 MHz TV shut down to allow US 700 MHz Public Safety and communication systems?  Even if FCC licensed them, the TV would cover them.

Loren will continue work on contacting counterparts from last year’s list, and gather questions or subject issues.  (OPEN)

WWCIC web site   Alan Robinson updated 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.  The Constitution and By-laws shown on the web page is NOT entirely correct.  Some omissions and errors exist.  Loren is working with Alan to get that particular page turned off temporarily, and the appropriate changes made.  The changes, additions, and corrections were all membership-approved long ago, but the correct version didn’t get dispersed.  (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.  Steve Leonard will do one in May 2002, about Nextel.  Perhaps one could cover the EAS (Emergency Alert System), with a description and explanation.  Another potential is on ‘the RF environment’.  Possibly a WWCIC subsidy of a seminar was mentioned.  Mark McDermott told us SERS is in process of getting RF Institute for certification classes.  A possible 2-day class, possibility to incorporate with a monthly meeting, or on a Mon or Wed, with late summer as possible timeframes?  Ideas flowed, and Loren may poll the members further on more possible topics.  There will be more discussion. (OPEN)

WWCIC Bank Accounts   The signature card for accounts at the bank we have long used at Totem Lake, the US Bank, has been re-done.  Authorized signers are Loren, George and Wiz.  An annual budget was discussed, and a suggestion was made to split out the fees for the web site Domain name, and the Hosting for the web site.  Loren needs to discuss with Alan what is possible.  The non-profit status for WWCIC was checked with IRS.  No tax return or any other documents need be filed unless our funds exceed $25,000.  Members, we have lots of room there so, “no worries, Mate”.  Membership Dues will continue at $20/year.

XM Radio   George Bisso continued discussion begun last month about the potential for interference posed by new fill-in sites for gaps in the satellite coverage of XM radio.  XM and Cyrus are competitors in this new business arena.  There are concerns for IX in the 2.4 GHz spread-spectrum areas, a new high power site in Everett not yet started up, sites planned for Cougar Mt, and others.  Local experts such as Hatfield and Dawson have not been involved, and the issue could be a national one.  There are at least 6 other sites in the NW, but not specific locations known.  Other radio system users should know where sites are, as potential hazards for people.  As a general comment, not particular to any one technology, Harlan Ohlson promoted that there should be “more sites and less power used”, as good practice toward reducing interference.

New Business

No new business was brought forward

Items of Information

FCC   Dennis Anderson spoke about problems encountered during the Salt Lake City Olympics.  The committee took more authority than it really had, with some foreign radio users appearing on frequencies reserved for the US government.  Secret Service was “unhappy”.  Several enforcement items were announced.  A warning was mentioned about upkeep of flashing beacons and obstruction lighting on towers, with enforcement actions taken against some non-compliance.  Make sure you know what YOUR towers are doing.  The IEEE Journal has some interesting articles about games on cell phones.  Most of the “high powered” cell phones, previously discussed at our meetings, are coming from outside the US, so no opportunity for type acceptance or declaring them unusable.  Most FCC documents can be found on FCC’s website www.fcc.gov.  If you would like help with documents, or like to know how to get hard copy, please contact Dennis.

Miscellaneous

George talked about unlicensed radio.  FCC ‘goes looking’ if interference to some licensed service is reported.  They warn first, and sometimes take along a “3^rd party” capable of enforcing any local laws.  Often the equipment used is found to be stolen, and if previously reported as such, is confiscated, which helps in elimination of such interference.  

Mark McDermott mentioned some SERS buildings are to arrive in about 3 weeks.

The meeting adjourned at 11:04.  Thanks to everyone for your interest and support for WWCIC.  

Loren H. Postma

Secretary/Treasurer