Meeting of the

FCC Region 19

700 MHz Technical Advisory Committee

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Rhode Island Emergency Operations Center

 

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 10:00 AM.

 

Present Mr. Pohorilak; Chairman, Mr. Zarwanski, Vice Chairman and Mr. Warakois, Secretary.

All members present were asked to sign the attendance roster.

 

Previous Minutes

The Chairman presented the minutes of the previous meeting.  Mr. Carbonell MOVED to

ACCEPT the minutes as presented.  Mr. Brown SECONDED the motion.  There was no

discussion. The minutes were APPROVED by voice vote.

 

STATE UPDATES

Connecticut

Mr. Pohorilak reported that "Significant momentum" has been achieved in formalizing the

(Connecticut) State Interoperability Committee. Mr. Skip Thomas is the State of Connecticut

Commissioner of Homeland Security. Various pieces 800MHz ICAL/ITAC radio equipment have

been purchased and distributed statewide to PSAP's and operations centers. 

 

New Hampshire

Mr. Kowalik reported that the SIEC committee would be formed after the June 2005 meeting of

the 700-800 MHz Committee.  The actions of that committee will be linked to the actions of this

700 MHz and the 800 MHz Committees.

 

Massachusetts

Mr. Gutowski reported that the Massachusetts State Interoperability Committee operates under

the Executive Office of Public Safety.  The Secretary of Public Safety wants to assure that

funding for interoperability will be used in conformance with the rules for interoperability.

 

Rhode Island

Mr. Crotty reported that Rhode Island is moving forward. The Washington County project is

funded for the establishment of an interoperability system in southern Rhode Island.

An interoperability committee is forming.

 

Maine-

No report

 

Vermont-

No report

 

 

 

 

NCC- (committee has expired)

 

FCC update

No report

 

CAPRAD

Mr. Kowalik has been using the site and updating some of this committee's current status.  He

reports that some of the editing functions of the database are a bit confusing. Further training on

the use of CAPRAD will occur at a time when the 700 MHz band is available for Public Safety

use. Mr. Zarwanski reported that he has made a request to APCO that CAPRAD training be given

at the Denver, Colorado APCO 2005 Conference.  Denver, Colorado is the location for CAPRAD

training.

 

Region 19, 700 MHz Plan

The Chairman reported that the motion of September 14, 2004 to submit the plan to the FCC with

absence of concurrence from the adjacent regions (8 & 30) has not been carried out as the result

of conversations with the Chairmen of both regions. Region 8 has given concurrence to the

Region 19 Plan.  Region 30 reviewed the Plan and the Chairman had a telephone statement of

conditional concurrence with the Plan by Region 30. Days later in an email, the Chairman

received a retraction of the verbal concurrence.  Technical issues and concern with dispute

resolution could not be immediately resolved. There were further issues raised regarding

references to the Standard Technical Document TIA-88. Once those issues are resolved an

agreement would be forthcoming.

 

Mr. Zarwanski explained that the issue of interference and comparisons between the 800 MHz

and proposed 700 MHz technologies.  The Region 19 Plan is less stringent on some of the

interference contour requirements.

 

The Chairman notes that approval by the Region 30 Committee will require the Plan to be

re-submitted to Region 8 with the changes for re-concurrence.

 

MOVED by Mr. Carbonell that:

This committee review the Plans for Regions 5 and 24 and any others already approved by the

FCC to determine the accepted technical parameters that are in despute and to change the Region

19 Plan, if necessary, to reflect the already acceptable plans. SECONDED by Mr. Derdak.

 

It is the Committee's intent to submit the PLAN to the FCC with the interference requirements

edited to show the acceptable wording as it appears in the Plans already accepted by the FCC

The motion was CALLED, VOTED and ACCEPTED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.9 GHz Planning

 

The Chairman distributed a package of study documents. Four proposed plans from different

regional committees were included in the package. A brief discussion took place on whether the

plan should be frequency agile or constrained to public service category. Further discussions on

technology and frequency use would be discussed at future meetings.    

 

 

NEW BUSINESS –

 

The Chairman noted that the Region 19 Committee still has openings for membership from all of

the New England States. The schedule of meetings has been determined for the year 2005 and

beyond. The current balance of funds was announced.

 

Mr. Carbonell MOVED to adjourn.  SECONDED by Mr. Kowalik.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 AM.

 

Respectfully Submitted

 

James Warakois, Secretary

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

1.         1.                   Region 6 – 4.9 GHz REGIONAL PLAN, Draft Version 7/11/04, "4940

MHz TO 4990 MHz SPECTRUM ALLOCATION AND USAGE IN NORTHERN

CALIFORNIA" (32 pages).

2.         2.                   Region 41 – 49 GHz Plan (Draft), Revision 1.1.

3.         3.                   STATE OF IDAHO, REGION 12, 4.9 GHz REGIONAL PLAN. July 21,

2004.

4.         4.                   "SURVEY FOR DETERMINING EACH ELIGIBLE AGENCY'S NEED

FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FREQUENCIES IN THE 4.9 GHz BAND", Region 5 & 6

Public Safety/ Public Service Organization California, U.S.A., April 15, 2004.