Vice Chairman Jon Wiswell called the meeting to order at 0935, at WSP in Bellevue.  Introductions were made around the tables.  Members and guests in attendance today: 20.  Chairman George Bisso was not in attendance.  Meeting minutes were recorded by Chuck Zappala, Sec/Treasurer.  The previous meeting minutes were reviewed, moved and accepted with no corrections.

Dates for WWCIC meeting for 2004   REMINDER- The following list of Dates was established for the slate of meetings in 2004.  They are almost all the 2^nd Tuesdays like always, but a couple exceptions.  Apr 13, May 11, June-to be decided after coordination w/ WCTC as Canada is host for the year 2004, Jul 13, No meeting in Aug, then Sep 14, Oct 12, Nov 9, & Dec 14.  Please note, & place these on your calendars.

FINANCIAL REPORT

  OLD BUSINESS

800 MHz and NEXTEL   Harlan Ohlson announced that WSDOT is having a meeting on March 29^th with Nextel about areas that WSDOT is concerned about.  Jerry Noe reported that another system owner is having some problems near the Sea-Tac Airport.  Steve Leonard reported that he has turned up a site south of the airport.  Steve asked Jerry to give him his contact information and they would work with them.  Steve announced that Nextel was going to do a system retune on April 15 in the Kent valley area and that would help reduce IX.  Steve has been coordinating with his spectrum neighbors for this action.  (OPEN)

700 MHz Planning Meetings   Jon Wiswell reported there was a meeting in Spokane last Thursday to work on the version 7, 700 MHz plan.  The focus was on interoperability.  Version 6 is currently on the web site.  They are looking to bring the plan to the adjacent regions for their comments and then to the FCC in the June time frame.   The next meeting is scheduled for Olympia.  Comments can be submitted through the web site and will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.  The 700 MHz web sites are www.region43.org for Washington State, and www.region35.org, for Oregon.  Contact Jon Wiswell, Pat Buller or Kevin Kearns for more info.  Meeting schedules and past meeting minutes are on these web sites.   Be sure to check them for the latest information in this important planning step for both 700 and 800 MHz use in the future.  (OPEN)

Grass Mt. 48.48 MHz IX Update   Pat Buller reported that the FCC’s letter of inquiry, their second letter to the DNR, prompted Jim Kelly to respond for what action is needed.  Pat reported that when the weather becomes more favorable a trip to the site by representatives of all interested parties would be in order.  Then they will determine which piece(s) of equipment are contributing to the problem and decide on a solution.  Jim agreed to notify all the site users of a specific date and time.   (OPEN)

450 MHz IX  Chuck Z said nothing new to report.  (OPEN)

FRS  Nothing to report.  (OPEN)

BPL Pat Buller commented the FCC is going ahead [with it] and that Tacoma Utilities is totally against it, the issue being liability and provided some examples.  Pat commented that he heard some rumors that they [FCC] are going to rewrite Part 15 to allow BPL.  Jon and Pat mentioned testing that had been done.   A question by Harlan prompted Pat to give a brief dissertation on BPL theory of operation.  Kris McGowan provided some regulatory comment. (OPEN)

Technical Seminars at meetings  Hadley Allhands suggested that the membership should propose about what they would like to have presented at the meetings and that some of the commercial members might be able to provide.   (OPEN)

XM and Sirius Satellite Radio Pat Buller reported two telephone numbers if you plan to be working on a tower that has XM radio.  Call 202-529-7012 or 202-380-4725 for RF safety.  The numbers are to be posted on the web site.  (OPEN)

WWCIC Web Site  Alan Robinson was not present.  Loren Postma noted that the December minutes had not been posted yet.  (OPEN)

APCO  Pat Buller went to the Spokane meeting, but had nothing to report. (OPEN)

Unlicensed – Spread Spectrum Technology  Nothing to report.  (OPEN)

Amateur Radio Events and Activities  Hadley Allhands thought it was a poor turn out with the emptiest tables he had ever seen.  Loren Postma thought it was great.  Harlan Ohlson noted that ARRL has a lot of BPL information on their web site.  www.arrl.org  (OPEN)

NEW BUSINESS

Joint US-Canadian Meeting 2004   A reminder to start thinking about what you would like to have on the agenda for the meeting.   This year’s meeting will be in Canada.  Chuck z will initiate contact with our Canadian neighbors to finalize the date.  Send your intention to go to the meeting via email to chuck.zappala@boeing.com to begin a head count.

WWCIC By-Laws  Chuck z reported on the status of the Constitution and the BY-Laws and proposed that a committee be formed to do a complete overhaul of the Constitution and By-Laws.  He explained there are discrepancies and loop holes that have accumulated over the years that should be corrected.   Jon Wiswell offered that he thought this was a good idea and asked who would be interested in joining the committee.  Harlan Ohlson and Hadley Allhands volunteered to work with Chuck z.

IRS W9 Forms   Chuck z reported finding W9 forms that may or may not have been filed with the appropriate agencies.  He will check into it and process if needed.  He is trying to make things easier.

Items of Information

FCC Report   Chris McGowan reported that the Commission has been active with tower registration issues, especially signage.  Transfer of ownership seems to be a focal point where the problems occur.   Owners are not keeping up with paperwork. 

Steve Leonard announced that K&L Microwave has a new 800-900 MHz transmit filter that greatly reduces sideband noise.  For more information contact Steve at 425-766-0896.

Moved and seconded to adjourn at 1032.  The technical presentation and demonstration on interoperability followed.

Respectfully submitted,

Your Secretary/Treasurer,

Chuck “z” Zappala chuck.zappala@boeing.com