History |
| The SERA was founded in 1971 as the North Carolina FM Repeater Association Inc., when a group of state repeater owners got together to form an organization designed to assist in coordinating, providing communication & technical information, and bringing together all amateur repeater owners into one united body.
In 1973, Virginia and South Carolina joined the group. The organization’s name was changed to Carolinas-Virginia Repeater Association, Inc. (CVRA). In late summer of 1979, amateurs in the state of Tennessee voted to join the association and in 1980, the state of West Virginia followed, making CVRA a 5-state organization. In 1980, the Board of Directors changed the name of the organization to CVRA-SouthEastern Repeater Association, Inc., thus CVRA-SERA. In the spring of 1985, 20 counties in eastern Kentucky formed the Eastern Kentucky district of the association, and in July, by unanimous vote of the Georgia repeater owners, chose to join. The board subsequently accepted Georgia as the seventh district of CVRA-SERA. In the early part of 1987, the CVRA-SERA board wrote and approved one of the most complete, far reaching Coordination Policies in the nation. This new document provided a guide for coordinators and repeater owners. In 1988, the board voted to drop the letters “CVRA” from the corporate name, thus SERA was the new identity for the SouthEastern Repeater Association. The organization also decided to copyright its repeater index. In 1989, the board again moved forward with the times. The SERA By-Laws were totally updated to reflect current trends. The coordination policy was updated and paragraphs titled to assist in finding portions of the document with ease and speed. In late 1989, SERA signed a paper of “Mutual Cooperation and Recognition” with MACC (Mid-America Coordination Council), as it had previously with the Florida Repeater Council, Alabama Repeater Council, and T-MARC (other repeater coordinating councils adjoining SERA border states). These agreements basically state that SERA recognizes these organizations as the official coordinators in their area, and that SERA pledges to cooperate with them in coordination and information. Mississippi became the 8th SERA state and western Kentucky joined eastern Kentucky to form a new Kentucky District encompassing the entire state in mid 1989. In 1996 the SERA Board voted to provide its own electronic “remailer” through the internet. Today all board members are on the internet, with almost immediate access for communications. Frequency Coordinators now receive computerized digital data updates of repeaters for their home computers from the master computer database. Other Information At the end of 1985, the association represented over 900 repeaters in seven states on all VHF/UHF bands. By 1989, repeaters in the eight districts had grown to over 1,200. With a new computerized database in place, the organization initiated the policy of annually mailing data sheets to every known repeater in the eight states in an attempt to keep the database as complete and up-to-date as possible. In 1992, SERA board members were tied to the ARRL National Data Base via computer. By the spring of 1996, the SERA board of directors approved additional software to assist directors in coordination. The SERA repeater database now contains over 2,100 repeaters in the SERA area. The SERA director, who is elected from within his own district by his fellow repeater owners, is the leader within the district, guiding SERA efforts, answering only to the full board of directors in session and voting, and of which he is an equal member. His judgment is totally free in coordination in his area, guided by the board-approved frequency utilization plans and coordination policies and guidelines. This eliminates any possibility of politics from outside sources. The director is assisted by a locally elected vice-director in both coordination and contact with repeater owners. Assistant directors are named by the director and approved by the full board. All within the district are subordinate to the director, who is responsible for compliance with the by-laws and policies of the organization. Repeater Journal History Volume 1, Number 1, of the Repeater Journal was published in 1971 with 12 pages of typewritten stapled sheets. By 1973, the publication was printed by a commercial printer, with a 7 x 8-1/2 inch format. The February, 1983, Journal had a new size and format. The new 8-1/2 x 11 magazine type layout set the Journal into a more professional look. In November of 1986, the Repeater Journal began printing full color covers. In 1991, the Repeater Journal staff had in place computers, desk-top publishing programs, and tools required to take over the task of publishing the Journal by computer. In 1994, the SERA Board authorized purchase of a new state-of-the-art computer system and software for the Journal volunteers. Other notes: The SERA is incorporated as a “Not for Profit Corporation” pursuant to Chapter 55A of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended. The success of SERA over the past 25 years can be attributed to its people, people who chose to volunteer their time and work countless hours for the organization with no pay for their services, and the repeater owners and users, who faithfully support the organization financially through voluntary membership are the heart and soul of the organization. The goal for the future is to continue to provide the best communications, cooperation, coordination, and education possible to the Amateur repeater owners and users in the Southeast. The SERA is unlike any other coordination organization in the nation. The amateurs in the southeast have something they can be proud of. They helped build it and they support it. The relatively trouble free repeater operation in the area shows their work has not been in vain. The officers who have served with SERA from 1971 to the present: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (Elected Terms of office begin in even years) 1972-1973 (NCFMRA) Bill Sims, K4RUQ, (Durham, NC) OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT (Elected terms office begin in even years) 1972-1973 ??? OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (Elected terms of office begin in even years) 1972-1973 Bill Parris, K4GHR, (Charlotte, NC) 1984-1987 Nita Morgan Woffard, N4DON (TN) 2012 – 2018 Dr. Ron Johnson, (Concord, GA) OFFICE OF THE TREASURER (Elected terms of office begin in even years) 1972-1973 Bill Parris, K4GHR, (Charlotte, NC) DIRECTORS, VICE DIRECTORS AND ASSISTANTS (Elected terms of office begin in odd years, with Assistant Directors being appointments by directors with no voting privileges.) THE CVRA NINE-DISTRICT SETUP From 1971 to 1975 the organization had a Coordination Chairman who did all frequency coordinations for the three CVRA states. In 1975 thru July 1976, the CVRA split into 9 districts across the three states. Each district had an elected Director and Vice-Director. The Frequency Coordination Chairman still held final authority on frequency coordination with the assistance of the various Directors and Vice-Directors. The Nine Districts 1975-1976 MOUNTAIN DISTRICT Director – Hank Holcomb, WB4MOV, (Lynchburg, VA) CENTRAL DISTRICT Director – Bill Bridges, K4WHQ, (Shelby, NC) EASTERN DISTRICT Director – Charles Durst, WA4WTX, (Durham, NC) COASTAL DISTRICT Director – Calvin Dempsey, WA4UQC, (Tarboro, NC) PIEDMONT DISTRICT Director – Don Haris, W4BUZ, (Greensboro, NC) (1975) NORTHERN DISTRICT Director – Carter Cogle, K4ARO, (Petersburg, VA) SOUTHERN DISTRICT Director – Hugh Minton, K4FR, (Aiken, SC) WESTERN DISTRICT Director – Ron Alberton, WA4MWC, (Greer, SC) (1975) BAY DISTRICT Director – Bill Shaw, WA4MMP, (Chesapeake, VA) CVRA THREE-DISTRICT SETUP In 1977, the Board of Directors reduced the number of CVRA Districts from nine to three. They were the states of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Each district has an elected Director and a Vice-Director. The Directors could also appoint Assistant Directors who did not have voting privileges. The Frequency Coordination Chairman retained final authority on frequency coordination with assistance of the Directors and Vice Directors. This continued through 1979. In 1980 the elected state officials assumed frequency coordination duties, lending more “local” authority for each state. NORTH CAROLINA DISTRICT NC was the 1st State within the organization in 1971. NORTH CAROLINA DIRECTORS 1977-1978 Charles Durst, WA4WTX, (Durham) NORTH CAROLINA VICE-DIRECTORS 1977-1978 Eddie Sellars, W4NTQ, (Whiteville) NORTH CAROLINA ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 1978-1980 Larry Schwarz, WA4RHY, (Fayetteville) SOUTH CAROLINA DISTRICT SC was the 2nd State within the organization in 1973. SOUTH CAROLINA DIRECTORS 1977-1980 Wade Holland, W4AZT, (Greenville) 2017- Matthew Littleton, KN4SWB, Easley, SC SOUTH CAROLINA VICE-DIRECTORS 1977-1980 Hugh Minton, K4FR, (Aiken) SOUTH CAROLINA ASSISTANT DIRECTORS 1977-1980 Lennart Bjerken, WB4USY, (Shaw AFB) VIRGINIA DISTRICT VA was the 3rd State within the organization in 1973. VIRGINIA DIRECTORS 1977-1980 Carter Cogle, K4ARO, (Petersburg) VIRGINIA VICE-DIRECTORS 1977-1980 Al Dyson, W4PDL, (Salem) VIRGINIA ASSISTANT DIRECTORS 1977-1984 Wally Burkette, WA4KXV, (Virginia Beach) TENNESSEE DISTRICT Tennessee was the 4th State within the organization in 1981. TENNESSEE DIRECTORS 1981-1985 Sam Kirby, WB4HAP, (Knoxville) 2016- Mike Bishop, WM4RB, (Cleveland) TENNESSEE VICE-DIRECTOR 1981-1982 Cliff Hensley, WB4NKL, (Limestone) 2016- Brent DeSalvo, KF4TMP, (Manchester) TENNESSEE ASSISTANT DIRECTORS 1981-1986 Billy Gilly, W4YXA, (McMinnville) 2009-2010 Mike Bishop, WM4RB, (Cleveland) WEST VIRGINIA DISTRICT WV was the 5th State within the organization in 1981. WEST VIRGINIA DIRECTORS 1981-1986 Ted Wolfe, WD4KHL, (Cabin Creek) 2015- Glen Sage, N4DN (Gladesboro) WEST VIRGINIA VICE-DIRECTORS 1981-1986 Mike Palmer, K8LG, (Morgantown) 2007-Dr Mike Fariss, K4EZ, (Hillsville) WEST VIRGINIA ASSISTANT DIRECTORS 1981-1986 Karl Morris, WB8GDY, (St. Albans) KENTUCKY DISTRICT 20 counties of eastern Kentucky & 6th State within the organization in 1985, and in November 1989, the remainder of state became part of the Kentucky District. KENTUCKY DIRECTORS 1985-1988 Fred Jones, WA4SWF, (Louisa) 2012 – Bill Call, KJ4W, (Murray) KENTUCKY VICE-DIRECTORS 1985-1988 Terry Estes, WB4ASZ, (Winchester) 2012- Jerry Shouse, K4TG, (Lawrenceburg) KENTUCKY ASSISTANT DIRECTORS 1989-1990 Larry Malone, KC4TX, (Hodgenville) GEORGIA DISTRICT Georgia officially became the 7th CVRA-SERA District in late 1985. The following were the first named CVRA-SERA Officials of that state. INTERIM DIRECTOR – Newell Anderson, W4AQE, (College Park) After elections in 1986, the first officially elected District officers took office for CVRA-SERA Georgia. GEORGIA DIRECTORS 1986-1988 Jim Abercrombie, N4JA, (Augusta) 2018 – David Benoist, AG4ZR, (East Senoia) GEORGIA VICE-DIRECTORS 1986-1987 John Robertson, N4BGL, (Lawrenceville) 2018- Jonah Riner, KE4PMP (Vidalia) GEORGIA ASSISTANT DIRECTORS 1986-1987 Dave Shiplett, WL7ACY, (Robins AFB) MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT Mississippi was the 8th State in SERA in 1990. In November of 1989, the state of Mississippi became a part of SERA. After elections in 1990, the first officially elected District officers took office for CVRA-SERA Mississippi. MISSISSIPPI DIRECTORS 1990-2014 Steve Grantham, N5DWU -now- AA5SG, (Ellisville) MISSISSIPPI VICE-DIRECTORS 1990-1996 Jim Akers, W5VZF, (Starkville) 2018- Donald Loper, N5SPJ, (Brandon) MISSISSIPPI ASSISTANT DIRECTORS 1998-2000 Keith Wells, N5ZNS, (Summit) OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS TO OFFICE Appointees within our organization are assigned different jobs. They range from Assistant Directors, listed above with their State Directors and Vice-Directors, to Publications, Membership, Repeater Journal Correspondents, Frequency Coordinators, Membership Assistants and many others. Their terms, generally run concurrent with the person who appointed them. FULL MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN (Appointed by the President) 1972-1974 Bill Parris, K4GHR, (Charlotte, NC) ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN (Appointed by the President) 1972-1974 Bill Parris, K4GHR, (Charlotte, NC) Note: In 1975, Lindsay Cleveland began setting up a computer database for the organization on his employer’s mainframe computer. After a couple of years he had compiled all membership and much of our repeater data. In 1985, David Ward worked closely with Lindsay and transferred the CVRA database to David’s workplace mainframe computer. During the transfer, application programs were written using the Cobol language. Several months later, David moved the data and programs from the mainframe computer to his personal IBM PC running Microsoft Cobol. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANTS (Appointed by Membership Chairman) 1981-1985 Lindsay Cleveland, W4IZI, (Georgia) FCC LIAISON COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN (Appointed by the President) 1974-1978 Dan McMillin, W4DGE, (Greensboro, NC) 2018- Danny Hampton, K4ITL, (Willow Spring, NC) TECHNICAL ADVISOR (Appointed by the President) 1986-1987 F. L. Warford, K4AZA, (High Point, NC) PUBLICATIONS CHAIRMAN (Appointed by the President) 1971-1972 Don Harris, W4BUZ, (Greensboro, NC) 2013 – 2018 Norm Schklar 2018 2018 (Switched to Online Journal) Handled by SERA Help Desk and Membership FREQUENCY COORDINATION CHAIRMAN (Appointed by the President) 1972-1976 Charlie Durst, WA4WTX, (Durham, NC) (Note: – From 1971 to 1979 the Frequency Coordination Chairman was the official who did all repeater coordination, or had final say-so on any coordination. In 1980, the elected Directors and Vice-Directors of each District were given the responsibility. The Chairman’s title, now, is a person appointed to help in communications, if necessary, between Districts or neighboring states outside of SERA.) INTERNET MANAGER (Appointed by the President) The SERA began its’ Internet site in 1997. An e-mail server and FTP site was also set up for board members. From 1997 until 2000, Alex Hedrick kept watch over the FTP and re-mailer site, with two other persons serving as “webmasters”. In 2000, Alex assumed management of all electronic sites and capabilities for the organization. 1997-1998 Jeff Martin, N5KOL, (Bowling Green, KY) SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT (Appointed by the President) 1998-1999 Dave Shiplett, AC4MU, (Perry, GA) serving Don Williams, W4VT Compiled & Edited by: Wayne C. Williams, K4MOB-SK Additional Compilation by: H. Alex Hedrick, Jr., N8FWL Additional Compilation by Dr. Mike Fariss, K4EZ, helpinfo@sera.org |