Chair George Bisso called the meeting to order at 09:32.   Introductions were made around the tables.  DRAFT Minutes of the April 9, 2002, meeting were reviewed and approved.     

Members and guests in attendance: 14

Financial Report

Old Business

800 MHz IX   Harlan Ohlson brought up and discussion followed on gathering information for a letter to be submitted by WWCIC concerning the FCC NPRM on 800 MHz.  Any submittal needs to be general in nature.  The discussion will continue.  ((Loren has continued to collect 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 for Washington State, and www.region35.org, for Oregon, respectively.  Contact Jon “Wiz” Wiswell, Pat Buller or Kevin Kearns for more info.  (OPEN)

Joint Meeting 2002   There was brief discussion about WCTC.   Canada hosts this year.  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 was received, Loren forwarded 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)   (OPEN)

Technical Seminars at meetings   Steve Leonard gave an extensive presentation on the Nextel system as it exists here in the Pacific Northwest.  He used a handout to illustrate points and help clarify explanations.  There are many abbreviations and definitions connected with how Nextel operates and maintains their system and equipment.  Loren tape-recorded the entire discussion, which ran until 1230.   Unfortunately, Steve needed to collect the materials after the presentation, as they were company property, to be used other places.  If anyone wishes a copy of the tape, they may contact Loren about it.  Steve will be a continuing resource for questions.  Feel free to contact him, if additional explanation or clarification is needed.  Thank you Steve, an excellent job of presenting.  (OPEN)

WWCIC Bank Accounts   Membership Dues will continue at $20/year, and bank balances remain unchanged.  No bank visits have been made.

XM Radio   George Bisso has more info about XM, but wanted to wait to discuss at another meeting, so to allow more time for Steve Leonard’s presentation.  (OPEN)

New Business

No new business was brought forward

Items of Information

FCC   Dennis Anderson spoke about fines for tower lighting and paint violations around the country.  They were for $264,000.  There was an item about Amateur Radio at 135.7 MHz.  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 mentioned items about the Satellite broadcasters, and Harlan about the IWCE meeting he attended.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30.  Thanks to everyone for your interest and support for WWCIC.  

Loren H. Postma

Secretary/Treasurer