Minutes of April 14, 1998 Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 9:40 by Vice Chair Steven Mayes. Chairman George Bisso was attending the NAB Conference in Las Vegas and vacationing in Florida. The minutes of the March 10 meeting were reviewed and approved.

Checking Account Balance: $3,660.03. Shirley will check to see if there are any IRS requirements for reporting WWCIC's financial status.

Membership and Dues. Reminder: Dues should be paid by May 1 in order to continue receiving the newsletter unless you are on the list to receive a courtesy copy. Among those that are not required to pay dues are FCC, Industry Canada and other Canadian counterparts, FBI, FAA, Amateur Radio Club, Inland Empire Cooperative Interference Committee, and U.S. Navy. It was also emphasized the preferred way to distribute the newsletter is by email. Let Shirley know if you are not presently receiving them by email and have the capability.

800 MHz Cross Border Interference. Denny briefed on the current status. FCC has approached Nextel with a request to switch frequencies with Valley Comm. Preliminary indication is they are agreeable. This would solve the problem on four of the six frequency pairs.

WWCIC/WCTC Meeting. The 1998 meeting will be on June 17 at Hazelmere. George Bisso had planned to touch base with his contact in Canada on the progress of meeting plans; however, since he's not here, it is not known if he was successful. Gary Soulsby will try to find out more information from his contact as to whether or not the meeting is still on track. We will draft up an agenda at the next WWCIC meeting so be prepared to submit agenda topics. In addition, please let Shirley know if you plan to attend the June 17 meeting. No doubt the meeting coordinator will want to know how many will be there from WWCIC.

Gas Dryer Interference to Ham Radio. Pat Buller's interference problem with his neighbor's gas dryer has been resolved. Through the course of her investigation of the matter, Kris McGowan from FCC learned the owners had replaced both their washer and dryer because the washer had sprung a leak. Pat refunded the owners the $60.00 they paid for the technician since it did not result in a solution to the problem and read the accompanying letter he wrote to them offering his services in the future. After the meeting, Pat provided a very interesting demonstration as to how he uses active and inactive loop antennas to pinpoint this type of interference.

Web Site. Our web site is back to normal. A question was raised as to how many hits the web site is getting and if it's cost effective. The question will be posed to Alan.  (I don't know but it does not cost much - Alan)

460 Mhz Repeaters. There was considerable discussion on methods used to trunk 460Mhz repeaters., i.e., centralized, de-centralized, and a third type--which is a hybrid of the two. At this time, de-centralized is clearly authorized where the mobile unit is in control of the system. Centralized trunking, where the repeater controls the mobile units, is not authorized in the 460 Mhz band, and the jury is still out on the hybrid. The hybrid appears to use one or two repeaters as "home" type channels (all licensees on that repeater are trunked) and can assign mobiles to inactive repeaters shared with conventional licensees.

Protection to Astronomers. Steven Mayes read about a new agreement that extends protection to astronomers who use Arecibo radio telescopes. There is concern about potential interference from the commercial satellite system Aridium. The memorandum of agreement signed by Motorola, which operates Aridium, guarantees eight hours of observation time each day unpolluted by interference.

Interference to Earth Station. Dennis Anderson reported that the Navy, while conducting an exercise in the satellite downlink frequency band recently, shut down a satellite earth station in Brewster, Washington. The Navy ceased operations in that band after Denny contacted them.

44.52 MHz. Dennis inquired if anyone has heard 44.52 between Everett and Olympia. While working on an interference problem for the Tugs of Opportunity, the 44.52 MHz signal was discovered and does not appear to be licensed to anyone. FCC is trying to find the operator to ensure it is a legal operation. Chuck Zappala mentioned that a company called Star Com may be involved. It was formed by ex-employees of Meteor Burst Communications which provides service to Tugs of Opportunity. Denny will check it out.

Family Radio Service (FRS). A question was raised about FRS. Denny stated it is an unlicensed service aimed at radio communications for leisure activities; however, the Navy is using them in dry docks. He mentioned they are unique in that they do not specify they are certified for Part 95 use.

FCC Items of Interest. Dennis Anderson provided the following information:

• Antenna Structure Registration. Section 17.4(g) of the Commission's rules states that, with the exception of certain historic structures, the antenna structure registration number must be displayed in a conspicuous place so it is readily visible near the base of the antenna structure. Materials must be weather resistant and of sufficient size to be easily seen at the base of the antenna. The rules do not prohibit multiple postings of a registration number. Owners are strongly encouraged to identify the number as the FCC Registration Number. The number must be readily visible. For further clarification or questions, call Shirley at 425-820-6271.
• Universal Licensing System (ULS). FCC adopted a notice of proposed rulemaking on February 19, 1998 which proposes to facilitate implementation of the ULS and to consolidate, revise, and streamline rules governing application procedures for radio services licensed by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB). ULS is an automated licensing system in development that will be used for all licensing of wireless radio services regulated by WTB. It will replace 11 separate licensing systems and databases and will support full electronic filing. It will also provide the public with on-line access to public licensing information. Five new forms will replace the over 40 existing forms so all wireless providers, regardless of service, will use the same set of forms for applications, technical and ownership information, transfers and assignments, and renewals. Wireless providers will be able to file multiple applications in multiple services on a single form and can file subsequent applications without having to resubmit information already on file.
• 10.6 - 10.68 GHz Band. In response to the microwave industry's request that FCC streamline its license processing, FCC rules have been modified to provide for conditional authorization authority in the 10.6 - 10.68 GHz band under certain circumstances. As a result, microwave licensees will be able to provide service in the 10 GHz band in an expedited manner. Entities with 10 GHz band applications pending when the rule modification becomes effective will be permitted to obtain conditional authorization authority. NTIA has provided FCC with a memorandum which lists specific geographic locations where prior coordination with NTIA will be required before grant of FCC authorizations covering non-government operations in the 10 GHz band. NTIA also stated that for non-government facilities only operating outside these geographic areas, coordination with NTIA will not be necessary.

The meeting adjourned at 10:45.

 Shirley Perry