Chairman George Bisso called the meeting to order at 0932.  Introductions were made around the tables.  DRAFT Minutes of the Feb 11, 2003, meeting were reviewed and approved.   Members and guests in attendance today: 15.  Please be sure to sign in, as your Sec/Treas looks at that info each time when preparing the minutes, to get or update to, the most current member and guest information.  As of April 7, there are 20 paid WWCIC memberships for 2003, representing 32 individuals.  “[Insert gentle reminder]”  Loren will get a membership list out before the joint meeting in June.  The WWCIC e-mail address list that Loren maintains goes out to about 66 individuals, members and friends.  In the last couple years, almost no Postal mail has been used for anything, except paying bills.  The marvel of modern technology, truly amazing-LHP.

Financial Report

Old Business

800 MHz IX   Discussion continues regarding the 800 MHz proposals, brought about by the Nov 2000 Nextel ‘white paper’, and member experiences.  Jerry Noe reiterated that the Nextel site in Bellingham, at the YMCA, is not interfering with his operations as much as the one at the St Josephs hospital.  Steve Leonard reports the sites are essentially the same, but may have different base radio controllers in them, one being newer than the other.  It is possible there is a different software release or some other subtle difference, which makes the 2 Nextel sites seem to operate differently.  He will be up that way this coming month, and will look into it.  Reminder--Wiz last month, described some comments filed about the proposals to FCC, which are posted on the web site shown in next sentence, for review.  Go to www.region43.org to see it.  The next 800 MHz local planning meeting is April 30^th.  There are items for 800 MHz and also 700, and links to other relevant info.  The collection of articles maintained by Loren, about the 800 MHz issues, is available for perusal.  Talk to Loren about it.  ((The collection is substantial, so electronic access to the materials is being considered.  Also, Loren will be sending out relevant information materials as they are made or become available, so each of you can consider their value, and take action accordingly.))   (OPEN)

700 MHz Planning Meetings   Nothing new was brought forth.  The 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 those web sites for the latest information in this important planning step for both 700 and 800 MHz use in the future.  (OPEN)

WWCIC web site   No new issues.  (ALWAYS OPEN)

Technical Seminars at meetings   George has a presentation set for October, on Amber Alert and radio implications.  George also mentioned BDA’s, citing the example of the T-Mobile building where he spends some time.  Hopefully, Kim Torp-Pedersen will be working with a contact on further information about BDA’s, w/ TXR or Antenna Specialties, which did not work out for March.  Perhaps a swap to May can be arranged, and bring in George’s contact, someone from Larson Antennas later on.  The members want any proposed seminars placed on the Agenda, so to be readily available to plan for attending, and get the personal calendars filled in early.  In February, a committee was formed, consisting of Pat Buller, Harlan Ohlson, and George Bisso, along w/ “member-at-large” Kim Torp-Pedersen, to work on the programs for future technical presentations.  Jerry Noe may have something from PAR radio for later on.  Loren also sends all our minutes along to IECIC, and if they are interested in attending any of our tech sessions, they are so informed.  (OPEN)

XM Radio    George has not heard about any new sites, and the companies are still having financial challenges.  IBOC – Denny Anderson asked about it.  Some of the FM broadcasters are planning to use it in the next couple years, but on AM, it isn’t working out well.  The technology isn’t “fully developed”; so more R & D is likely.  Ubiquity has had some success because it is not a music format.  With voice transmissions, sound quality is better, but music is another story.  George believes it is an exciting prospect for FM, and explained the technology further.  In an FM station, it costs around $35K to add it.  Further discussion about using it in TV broadcasting ensued.  Talk to Denny or John Franz of KVOS in Bellingham for more details.  The coming thing will be using it in HDTV applications.  (OPEN)

Planning for WWCIC/WCTC Joint meeting 2003     George has set up a contract with Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine for space, costs and food.  A $400 deposit payment has been sent.  The individual price should be about $20-25 US for the event.  We have the “Blakely Room” reserved, set up for 65 people initially, start time to be at 1030.  Breakfast will be available before the meeting agenda starts, lunch set for around the 12-1230 time period, and there should be coffee, pop, juice, water, etc, available all day.  More info will be coming about the lunch menu.  If you want to arrange overnight stays, call Semiahmoo directly, referring to the WWCIC arrangement, {Phone (360) 318-2000, or FAX (360) 318-2087}.  Earlier, Loren contacted Keith Bandy about the date in the second week of June.  Keith responded that Canada was happy with Wednesday, June 11, so that is the final date.  Kris McGowan and Jayson Clairmont had previously agreed to help w/ arrangements.  We should also begin to develop our ideas for discussion content.  Forward questions or concerns to the Officers, or bring them to the meetings.  Check your calendars for any potential conflicts, and mark them for June 11, Wednesday.  (OPEN)

APCO report or news   Pat Buller was absent, more next month?  We will anticipate his full report in April.  The 2004 Regional conference will be in Spokane, WA.  Contact Pat directly for more APCO-related details.  APCO has a lot if information on their web site, at www.apcointl.org/.  (OPEN)

Unlicensed Spread-Spectrum systems, and Noise Floor Measurements  So far, no one has done any further noise floor measurements.  Chuck Zappala talked about unlicensed SS activities in the Seattle area.  A web site, www.seattlewireless.net was mentioned to see what is going on.  There is activity setting up 802.11 sites, with 8-10 nodes, and a map showing some detail.  NIC cards can be changed, technology has progressed, and it looks like it’s possibly becoming the new “CB” style communications of choice.  People do it “because they can”.  (OPEN)

New Business

George talked about new sites for national weather service (NWS) radio stations.  A new station in Blaine on 162.525 MHz, may have issues with Canadian frequencies.   Last week they turned on a new station on Capitol Peak, 162.475 MHz.  If some link issues can be solved, it will be possible to activate the EAS by 4 different counties for emergency purposes, such as flood watch, etc.   Talk to George for more details.

Items of Information

FCC   Dennis Anderson spoke for FCC today.  He got a response from WTB about station coordinates info.  Check the NTIA side and also the FCC database for spectrum coordination.  He talked about an IX issue for a Fire District that FCC helped to isolate, all just “part of the service”.  Most FCC documents can be found on FCC’s website www.fcc.gov.  If you would like help with documents, please contact Dennis Anderson.

No new issues.  (OPEN) 

Respectfully submitted,

Your most humble Secretary/Treasurer,

Loren H. Postma