The meeting was called to order at 9:40 by Chairman George Bisso. Judy Bisso dropped by for a few moments shortly thereafter. Everyone was very glad to see her familiar smile. Introductions followed and minutes of the April 14 meeting were reviewed and approved with the following correction:

Membership and Dues. In accordance with previous discussions in prior years, members are generally asked to pay dues regardless of organization unless they cannot recupe the amount from their organization.

Checking Account Balance: $4,085.03. All member dues should have been received by May 1; however, we will accept stragglers.

800 MHz Cross Border Interference. Denny briefed on the current status. FCC is still working on the frequency swap. There are some reservations and political issues to be considered.

WWCIC/WCTC Meeting. George has established a point of contact at WCTC with Tom Lam who is setting up the meeting at Hazelmere. Their main agenda item is learning what issues are discussed in the APCO meeting as they won't have a representative there. Shirley will touch base with him to see if they have an agenda, meeting time, cost, etc., and provide the total attending from WWCIC.

Web Site. Kevin Kearns had requested to post the King County Radio Communications Services Manager position on the web page but it has not been decided yet whether or not we should undertake that task. There is a concern the site may become inundated with job announcements.

44.52 MHz. Denny Anderson reported the signal on 44.52 that was heard between Everett and Olympia disappeared soon after the minutes of the last meeting came out although that may have been coincidental. It was learned that Star Com has a transmitter operating on that frequency on Cougar Mountain. They allegedly have a nationwide license for vehicle tracking but FCC can't find it on their database. Alan is going to check on it.

Interference to KLSY. George worked with FCC on an interference problem to KLSY's 900 MHz STL receiver on Capitol Hill. FCC determined it was caused by a high level 900 MHz paging signal that is transmitted from the same tower. Filtering solved the problem. George added he had a similar problem on Tiger Mountain and thought it may also be from a paging operation; however, the signal disappeared before positive determination could be made and has not returned.

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

• Pirate Broadcast Stations. FCC has been working hard to get unlicensed broadcasters off the air. One tool has been to issue orders to unlicensed broadcast stations to show cause why a cease and desist order should not be issued. Hundreds of unlicensed broadcast stations have started up around the United States in the last couple of years, partly due to the fact a judge in California ruled against the FCC and allowed one station there to operate. FCC has also issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making to allow one unlicensed low power station in each community.
• Electronic Filing. FCC has amended its rules to allow the public to file comments and other pleadings electronically via the Internet in many rulemaking proceedings. To facilitate this, the Commission is implementing an Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) and will issue a Public Notice when public comment will be accepted through ECFS.
• Streamlining Equipment Authorization Process. On April 2, 1998, FCC adoped actions to simplify the existing equipment authorization process, move to a system of electronic filing of equipment authorization applications, and deregulate and relax equipment authorization requirements for a wide number of types of equipment that have demonstrated a good record of compliance. FCC plans to initiate another rule making in the near future to further streamline the equipment authorization process by allowing parties other than FCC to certify equipment and implementing mutual recognition agreements on testing and approval to promote international trade of telecommunications products.
• MOU with ITA. FCC and the Industrial Telecommunications Association (ITA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for ITA to be the first contact on interference complaints in the land mobile communications industry. The chief objective for the MOU is that ITA will be able to resolve complaints before they are referred to the FCC by facilitating certified frequency advisory committee's (FAC) work in concert with the Compliance and Information Bureau (CIB) in protecting the technical and regulatory integrity of the land mobile environment. It is anticipated that a majority of interference complaints may be resolved through FAC negotiation. Only when all attempts to identify the source of interference are unsuccessful will the FAC solicit the assistance of the local FCC office.
• WTB Makes 929 and 931 MHz Paging Databases Available for Review Prior to Auction. A Public Notice was issued on April 9 which instructs licensees of 929 MHz and 931 MHz paging systems on how to access and review the WTB's paging databases and how to submit corrections if necessary. Licensees may access the databases via Internet at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/cpgncrct.html
• Antenna Structure Registration. The posting guidelines for the antenna registration number was discussed. General posting guidelines and hypothetical situations can be found on the Internet at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/antenna.html. If you do not have access, please call Shirley and she will provide a copy.

KELA Radio. Alan is going to check on the weak signal situation on a studio to transmitter link for KELA in Chehalis.

Year 2000 Compliance. Dennis Reanier had just come from a presentation on Year 2000 Compliance (Y2k) and passed along information garnered from the meeting, including a handout called "Staying Alive Past The Year 2000". It addresses Year 2000 issues that may affect business operations and suggests steps for tackling the technical problems. It is quickly being recognized that non-compliance could have a major impact on communications, commerce, government, transportation, and enterprise for local communities, the United States, and the entire globe. Dennis urged everyone to examine their particular situations and to do everything they can to promote awareness and minimize this potentially serious situation.

 Shirley Perry

10:30 Doors open, informal introductions

11:00 Start of meeting, introduction of WCTC and WWCIC, introduction of guests from Industry Canada, FCC, and other attendees

11:30 Update by WWCIC of APCO meeting

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Update by IC and FCC of items of interest, concern, etc.

Update by WWCIC of items of interest, concern, etc.

Open discussion of other items of interest, concern, etc.

2:30 Next meeting announcements

2:45 Adjournment

Principal purpose of this meeting is to foster cooperation between the USA and Canada regarding cross border interference issues. Representatives from both FCC and Industry Canada attend the meeting so anyone who has issues can usually get responses. It provides an excellent opportunity to meet with American or Canadian counterparts face to face so you know who the players are that become involved in the resolution of cross border interference problems.