Chair George Bisso called the meeting to order at 0937.   Introductions were made around the tables.  DRAFT Minutes of the June 12 and July 9, 2002, meeting were reviewed and approved.    

Members and guests in attendance: 17

Financial Report

Old Business

800 MHz IX   Discussion continues regarding the 800 MHz proposals made by several groups of agencies, and Nextel’s white paper from last November.  No submittal has been made from WWCIC, though a number of ideas have been discussed or considered.  There has been a “new consensus plan” proposed for FCC consideration.  Loren brought a number of articles and a graphical representation of one of the earlier proposals, along with a UTC release about the FCC seeking comment on the “…PWC 800 MHz Compromise Plan”, per public Notice (DA 02-2202, with comments due by Monday, Sept 23.  Harlan says WSDOT is still experiencing IX in various locations around the State, lots of problems and not many ready solutions.  Pat Buller reviewed information he brought back from the APCO Conference (more info under ‘new business’).  Steve Leonard gave out copies of a Nextel document about “How to Respond to Reports of Interference”, that they use when Nextel employees are approached concerning investigation and resolution of alleged interference.  More copies were produced so everyone could pick up what they needed.  Loren has more copies available.  Call or e-mail if you wish one.   “Wiz” W told of progress at CO Seattle, using Motorola modifications in their MTS 2000 radios.  ((Loren has continued to collect articles from various sources discussing the issues, proposals, explanations of proposals and analysis, charts and graphs, and some examples of others’ responses to the Nextel ‘white paper’, if anyone should like to review or make copies of them.  They are available for perusal at each meeting.  The collection is becoming substantial, and everyone is encouraged to review each month.  Get there early, or stay after.))  (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)

WWCIC web site   No new issues.  Alan Robinson is 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.  (CLOSED)

Technical Seminars at meetings   Discussion continued about various topics for seminars.  George Bisso will contact Clay Freinwald for a possible October or November presentation, perhaps about EAS generally, or the Amber Alert system.  (30-40 minute presentations, that allow 20 min or so for questions, are what are desired).  Other future topics might include local area network and 911 tie-in’s with the State EOC, perhaps Jack Manon, about RF safety and monitoring, or a presentation on the Johnson Radio LTR system, maybe even test equipment hints and kinks.  It would be a goal to do one every month or two.  (OPEN 

XM Radio   As more sites go in, we need to remain aware.  There seems to be reluctance to detail exactly where the fill-in sites occur, but as members come across them, information is shared.  Our friends of SBE have been helpful.  Use care and caution, as the sites are considerable RF sources.  Some of these are at 2.3 GHz, using 10 KW TPO, for 40 KW ERP.  If working in proximity, monitor for radiation, and get all power turned off, if possible.  (OPEN)

New Business

Planning for WWCIC/WCTC Joint meeting 2003   The year 2003 will again be our turn to host the joint meeting.  Early planning will make a successful meeting.  Some locations were suggested.  Loren will research Sudden Valley, and George will contact Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, about space, costs and food.  We should also begin to develop our ideas for content.  Forward questions or concerns, or bring them to the meetings.  The 2^nd week of June 2003 is Monday 6/9-Friday 6/13.  Check your calendars for any potential conflicts, and perhaps we can set the date in the next couple months.

APCO Conference report   Pat Buller attended the conference in Nashville, TN, scheduled 8/11-15, per the APCO web site.  There were lots of technical issues and all aspects of interference discussed.  Former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani made a presentation about 5 aspects of the 9/11 attacks.  The NYPD communication system fared best.  Contact Pat for more details.  APCO has a lot if information on their web site, at www.apcointl.org/.

Items of Information

FCC   Kris McGowan discussed information about travel, and training that some local FCC staff is participating in.  The local office has a new Engineer recently assigned, Jayson F. Clairmont.  Some vehicle upgrades are being made.  Most FCC documents can be found on FCC’s website www.fcc.gov.  If you would like help with documents, please contact Dennis Anderson.

George B mentioned about coordination efforts at a recent golf tournament, and the NAB Fall Convention being held in Seattle, 9/13, 14, at the WA State Convention and Trade Center.  Many radio stations are testing IBOC, in band-on channel; a mechanism for intercommunication in the background while a radio broadcast station is transmitting.  The NAB web page is at www.nab.org.  There is considerable information to be found there.  The December 10, 2002, WWCIC meeting will be special, with a seasonal celebration, so plan to be hungry, if you know what I mean.  Jay S has made the conference room reservation at WSP for 9 AM – 2 PM.  George B prepared a handout, “TV broadcast Channels”, and copies were distributed.  Jay Schmierer offered the WSP District Office, available for a place to hold the WWCIC meeting through all of 2003.  Perhaps further discussion regarding locations for our meetings will take place in October.

Meeting adjourned at 1040.  Next meeting is on Oct 8, 2002, again at the WSP District Office in Bellevue.  See the WWCIC web page for detailed directions to the location.  Thanks to everyone for your interest and support for WWCIC.  

Loren H. Postma

Secretary/Treasurer