Acting Chair Harlan Ohlson called the meeting to order at 0931.  Chairman George Bisso was unable to attend due to a schedule conflict.  Introductions were made around the tables.  DRAFT Minutes of the Mar 12, 2002, meeting were reviewed, corrected, and approved.  As Wiz was also absent, Sec/Treas Loren taped the meeting to assist preparation of the minutes. 

Members and guests in attendance: 14

Financial Report

Old Business

800 MHz IX   Harlan Ohlson reported on WSDOT on-going pursuit of IX, with plots of 45 pairs of freq’s they use.  There may be a BPA tower concern, after 1^st considering PCS. Again, the discussion suggested pre-planned presentations, or even a series of them, that we 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…and Jerry Noe brought forward the letter sent from Wiztronics for FCC consideration.  Pat Buller talked about the APCO Regional Conference in Phoenix, which summary suggestions were, that, as many comments as possible are needed.  APCO Project 39 goal is to set some usable receiver standards, and APCO is pointing toward Public Safety moving to 700 MHz.  Dennis Anderson recapped what FCC is considering in the NPRM.  Steve Leonard reported about a meeting held in the Portland area.  Upgrading receiver standards would be a good thing.  There was an article in Mobile Radio Technology about receivers that suggest battery life will be sacrificed if more amplification is done in early stages of the receiver.  The biggest issue remains mixing technologies in the 800 band.  New Motorola gear (MTS 2500) is coming out that has capability for operation on both 700-800 MHz.  Again, the suggestion is “proposals” are needed, not just rhetoric.  Proposals need to address all parties concerns.  Should WWCIC take a position?  Date sensitivity is an issue, and the significance of “Line A” in the NW United States.  Several other ideas were discussed, and Harlan, George, Wiz, and Loren will attempt to work on a proposal, though time is short.  Proposals must be in by May 6.  ((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.   Per Pat Buller, Washington is about in the middle of the process, as compared to some other states.  Contact Jon “Wiz” Wiswell, Pat Buller or Kevin Kearns for more info.  (OPEN)

Joint Meeting 2002   There was brief discussion about WCTC.   Canada will 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, and gather questions or subject issues, as they are sent in.  Keith Bandy is the WCTC contact.  As soon as anything significant is received, Loren will forward the information to the group, by e-mail.  (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, as some of the material is not fully updated.  Some omissions and errors exist.  Alan has that particular page turned off temporarily, and Loren is working on the changes.  (The changes, additions, and corrections were all membership-approved long ago, but the correct version didn’t get dispersed)  The domain name question that Alan had gotten some solicitation about will remain as it is.  A vote was taken, and no other names will be considered than “wwcic.org”.  (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, and IDEN technology.  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?  Pat Buller mentioned that he had attended a presentation about “Road Rage” done by WSP.  Frequency coordination, tower climbing and safety, RF Exposure, and tracking devices for RF exposure were all mentioned.  Jack Manon represents MARDA, a certified device for quantifying RF exposure.   Loren may poll the members further on more possible topics.  There will be more discussion. (OPEN)

WWCIC Bank Accounts   Membership Dues will continue at $20/year.

XM Radio   George Bisso was not available to continue the discussion, and we will look forward to his return next month.  High power fill-in sites exist.  Can licenses be a clue for locations?

New Business

No new business was brought forward

Items of Information

FCC   Dennis Anderson spoke about E911, phases 1 and 2.  There was concern for why the process is moving so slowly.  Waivers were granted up until 10/1/2001, and then the final date now moved out past 12/2005.  FCC has hired Dale N. Hatfield to get it moving along.  After conclusion of investigations, a report is to be forthcoming.   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

Cell phones from Motorola with face recognition, GPS in a cell phone, flashing antennas, and other new features that would require users to get new phones were subjects discussed.  “Capitalism at work”.  Chuck Z talked about the CTIA show, where new handsets were the buzz.  He has a new appreciation for telecom infrastructure in urban areas, as some in the rural are pretty primitive, as compared to our usual expectation in the urban NW.  City of Tacoma is using some distribution automation equipment, but it is having trouble being “choked up” due to so much utilization of the 930 MHz unlicensed spread-spectrum technologies.  George Bisso is the key to speak to our board member Mayes situation.  No action until we hear from George.

The meeting adjourned at 10:45.  Thanks to everyone for your interest and support for WWCIC

Loren H. Postma

Secretary/Treasurer