Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
10:00 A.M -11:30 A.M.
The meeting was convened at 10:04 AM.
Present: George Pohorilak, Chairman; Jerry
Zarwanski, Vice-chairman; James Warakois, Secretary. All present signed the
prepared sign in sheet.
Approval of Minutes-
December 12, 2006
The minutes of the previous
meeting were presented by the Chairman. Moved to accept by Mr. Brown. Seconded by Mr. Kowalik.
There was no discussion. Approved by unanimous voice vote.
Membership-
Captain Dean Hoxsie of the
Narragansett, Rhode Island Police was nomininated as a Member-at-Large from
Rhode Island by Chief Smith, Narragansett, RI. Moved to accept
by Mr. Carbonell, Seconded by Mr.
Bob Dibella. There was no discussion
and Captain Hoxsie was accepted to
the committee as a new member by voice vote.
State Updates-
Connecticut- Chairman Pohorilak reported on radio interoperability in the State of Connecticut. Mr.
Carbonell reported on the progress of the STOCS (State Tactical On-Scene
Channel System) plan for the State of Connecticut. STOCS provides an interoperable radio communication system on
scene of an incident which cross bands the VTAC, UTAC and 806MHZ frequencies. The channels have been renamed STOCS
channels 1 through 5. These
frequencies may only be used in mobile/portable radios with a maximum output
power of 5 watts. A RFP was developed for the purchase of 100 cross band,
multi-band repeaters. The State is presently field testing the units which have
met the minimum bid specifications. Further information is available at www.ct.gov/demhs
Massachusetts- Mr. Sutherland reported that the State
Interoperability Committee is working on multiple issues including the use of
the 800MHz network. The State is working with the Massachusetts regions for
development of UTAC and VTAC protocols.
Completion of the statewide plans will depend on several factors and funding
for equipment.
Mr. Dibella pointed out that
the term VTAC implies cardiac problems and the designation should be renamed.
Mr. Derdak responded that the terminology being used nationally must remain
consistent, otherwise misunderstanding can likely occur due to local variance
from the nationally suggested identifiers.
New Hampshire- Mr. Kowalik described the States attempt to
standardize on terminology uniformity. There has also been discussion on the
choice of PL/CTCSS codes/tones while attempting to use the national guidelines.
Rhode Island- Mr. Crotty noted that the Rhode Island Communications
Working Group is crafting their interoperability plan to blend with that of the
neighboring states of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Captain Hoxsie explained
that there are now twelve 800 MHz sites now simulcasting with 5 additional
sites pending upon funding approval. A total of 22-23 sites are forecast for
UASI use as well as the use ICALL/ITAC in a compatible way with MA and CT.
Maine- No report.
Vermont- No report.
The Chairman noted that the
next meeting of this committee will be in Vermont. The Chairman will attempt to
have Vermont participation and reporting at the next meeting.
FCC Update- The 9th
Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) for 700MHz is out and the comment period ended on March 12. The 9th NPRM
eliminates/reduces the need for the Regional Planning process. The FCC seeks to
choose one contractor/vendor to build out a 700MHz system placing both
commercial and public safety users on the same system. The FCC will make a
ruling on various items relating to 700 MHz as well as other proposed rule
changes.
NARPC/NPSTC/CAPRAD- The issues gaining attention from these bodies where
touched upon in many of the previous agenda items.
Windows /Applications- To date, there have been no applications received
for 700MHz frequencies.
Region 8 and Region 30
700 MHz Plans-
Copies of the Region 8 and
30 Plans were distributed. The
revised plans contain modifications to the inter-regional conflict resolution
procedures and orphan channel allocation procedures.
Mr. Sean OÕHara representing
Region 8 and 30 discussed the section on Orphan channels in the plans. Orphan
channels are the remaining 6.25 MHz segments not assigned with a 25MHz block of
frequencies and are left for reuse.
The orphan channels may be assigned to adjoining pool areas with proper
engineering studies, the approval of the committee and Regional Chairman who
will ascertain that no interference would be created.
Mr. Sean OÕHara also discussed
the use of the Longley-Rice
methodology for determining signal coverage and interference issues as opposed
to using other computations. He
states that they wish to change section 9.2 to read ÒLongley-Rice.
Mr. Zarwanski noted that
Region 19 will also be using Longley-Rice for 700 MHz determinations but will
remain with Okumura for the 821 MHz applications.
Moved by Mr. Zarwanski and Seconded by Mr. Carbonell that the modifications identified by Mr. OÕHara in the Region
8 and 30 Plans be accepted.
There was discussion on any
impact to the Region 19 Plan.
Voted by all members that the identified changes be accepted.
Inter-regional dispute
resolution: Mr. Travis LePage
representing Region 8 and 30 noted that all of the New York dispute resolution
times have been changed. After
prolonged discussion it was determined that the dispute resolution section of
Region 8 and Region 30 would be acceptable although it varies slightly from
that of Region 19.
Moved by Mr. Warakois and Seconded by Mr. Walsh that the change be accepted by Region
19. There was no further
discussion. The change
then was accepted by
voice vote.
It was moved by Mr. Zarwanski and Seconded by Mr. Carbonell that the Region 8 and 30 Plans
be accepted as modified in their
entirety. There was no further discussion. Voted in the affirmative by a show of hands by the members present to accept
the Plans as modified.
4.9 GHz- Mr. Warakois asked that cities licensed and built out
on the 4.9 GHz band forward copies of their system design to the Committee for
use in the event there is dispute between systems.
Mr. Zarwanski noted that
letters have been sent with the 4.9GHz plan to all known licensees explaining
the position of the Regional Planning Committee. He states that only one town (Tewksbury) has responded. The
letters were addressed to the person whose name appeared on the license.
The Chairman stated that
further letters and a list will be distributed to the interested parties in
each state for further investigation of compliance and notification to the
Regional Planning Committee.
Moved by Mr. Carbonell, Seconded by Mr. Brown that the meeting adjourn.
Voted unanimously for
adjournment.
11:15 AM
Respectfully submitted
James Warakois, secretary