MABAS Special Communications Committee
Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. at Lisle-Woodridge Fire Station 1. Present were committee members Paul Maplethorpe, Round Lake; Steve Rauter, Lisle-Woodridge; Larry Matkaitis, Chicago; and John Lozar, Ducomm.
The committee discussed proposed Amendment 1 to Advocacy Statement #1. References to the splinter frequencies will be changed to 7.5 kHz. 154.3025 will be designated IFERN2 as a secondary base station frequency for future use. The other channels were named to follow the name plan of Advocacy Statement 1.
Frequency coordination issues were discussed. Paul Maplethorpe reported that Jeff Rodrigues is working on a coordination model for the VTACH and UTACH channels. He indicated support for the MABAS committee’s role with fire channels and input with the TACH channels. Steve Rauter reported that a group called ISTAR may also be coordinating the V and U TACH channels. He will follow-up on this issue. Jeff Rodrigues also reported that the ITTF may require a memorandum of understanding with recipients of ITTF funded radios that will dictate use of the TACH channels. Paul Maplethorpe also reported that IMSA is supportive of a state-wide frequency use plan. The current “plan” dates from the early 1980’s and is no longer applicable.
Proposed Advocacy Statement #6 – CTCSS Tones was reviewed. Several changes were suggested.
Paul Maplethorpe reported that Jeff Rodrigues discussed the “PL” issue for IREACH with Jan Noble of the IREACH Board. The initial reaction was unfavorable, however their stand softened some after learning about problems faced in the Chicago metro area with co-channel and adjacent channel interference. An advocacy type statement from our committee to the IREACH committee will be prepared to explain our rationale. Steve Rauter presented the idea of an IREACH alert tone, similar to the MABAS alert tone, that could be used to alert areas in the event of a disaster or serious emergency.
An update on the meeting held with WESCOM and MABAS 15 on November 20th was given. They understand the need to relocate from 154.295 to another frequency and 154.310 was suggested. Cost for reprogramming and recrystalling was the biggest concern. An updated, detailed inventory will be prepared by Division 15 to allow a cost estimate to be prepared.
Steve Rauter offered rf boards for Minitor I pagers on 154.310 MHz to assist the WESCOM departments.
A general discussion ensued concerning other topics that our committee should be considering. Data messaging, with roaming and non-proprietary protocol was brought up.
The meeting adjourned at @ 10:30 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2003, 0900 hours at Lisle-Woodridge Station 1.