Happy 25th anniversary, IWCE

Apr 1, 2001 12:00 PM, Don Bishop Editorial Director don_bishop@intertec.com www.mrtmag.com

OK, Laura, it's your turn. Say something you claim you wish hadn't said quite so bluntly but that we can quote anyway. Isn't that your style, Mark?

It's been 25 years since the first 150 attendees came to attend sessions and view tabletop exhibits at International Wireless Communications Expo's precursor, the National Mobile Radio Dealers conference.

I joined the magazine in April 1983, so counting this year's event, I've only been to 19 of the annual events. A newcomer!

Twenty-five years ago, a strong supporter of public safety radio communications, Fred M. Link, delivered the keynote address. This year, another public safety advocate, Kathleen Wallman, is the keynoter. Ms. Wallman chairs the FCC Public Safety National Coordination Committee that's working out details regarding public safety agency use of the 700MHz band.

Mercy Contreras, our group publisher, told me the names of some people who were with her at the first IWCE: Randy Friedberg, Don Clark, Jeff Grazi, Marty Cooper, Steve Beeferman, Gregg Miller, Mal Gurian, Perry Easterling, Jimmy Tucker and David Ferrell. Some will be at this year's event, and some have moved on to work in other industries.

New faces come each year. About 8,500 attendees and 1,500 exhibitor staff make up the expected 10,000 registration. I hope you're one of them.

Say it ain't so, Mark!

After 31 years at the Industrial Telecommunications Association, (once the Special Industrial Radio Service Association), Mark Crosby has stepped down as president. He has moved over to lead his brainchild, Access Spectrum, a 700MHz band manager. Laura Smith advances to president from her post as ITA's executive director of government relations.

Private radio needs strong advocacy. Since the old National Association of Business and Educational Radio merged with the Personal Communications Industry Association, ITA and other associations have shouldered a growing responsibility. NABER boosted private radio and small business; PCIA gets more mileage out of commercial services and big business.

Small Business in Telecommunications, American Mobile Telecommunications Association, United Telecom Council and others also play important roles.

But there's only one Mark Crosby. Focused, outspoken and tireless, he's someone we always enjoy hearing when he speaks to audiences at IWCE. He also makes for good magazine copy.

OK, Laura, it's your turn. Say something you claim you wish you hadn't said quite so bluntly but that we can quote, anyway. Isn't that your style, Mark?

New editorial staff

We welcome new members to the editorial staff, including Roger Lesser, editor; Maurice Lydick, senior art director; and Kari Taylor, associate editor. A story about our new colleagues appears on page 71. Along with David Keckler, technical editor; Nikki Chandler, senior associate editor; and Scott Dolash, art director, we look forward to seeing you at IWCE.

You can look in on the trade show via the Internet. On page 8, Associate Editor Matthew Halverson explains how to find IWCE in cyberspace using our Web site at www.mrtmag.com.

In the news

Several of our editorial advisers, consultants, columnists and contributing editors are making news.

Alan Burton, the founding editor of Dispatch Monthly, has written a novel titled The Amateur Terrorist. No publication date has been set, but the manuscript is finished. Congratulations, Alan.

Frederick G. Griffin, P.E., has applied for a position with the Bush Administration. He wants to fill a vacant seat on the FCC. It's been a half-century since the FCC had the benefit of an engineer among its commissioners. I don't know whether someone who applied to be a commissioner has ever been appointed — the job normally goes to political types chosen by administration insiders. But can you imagine the potential for improved decision-making with an engineer taking part? Good luck, Fred. Your kind of expertise would be welcome.

David O. Dunford has retired as technical supervisor for the Lenexa, KS, police department. He hasn't left the department too far behind. His business card now reads “consultant,” and the department is one of his clients. Best wishes to Dave with the “new” career.

Patrick E. Buller has retired from the Washington State Patrol as an electronics design engineer to take a new assignment as special projects engineer with Tacoma Power. Among other features, Pat has written some of our best do-it-yourself technical articles.