By Paulo Madsen, PY2FWR, PY2NR (one of the CWSP founders)
The group’s formation was always around PY2FWT, our dear Tonico. Although some commendable attempts had already been made (which unsuccessfully) to organize a club of telegraphy operators in São Paulo, the circumstances in which the group was formed had, from the beginning, their own firm and irreversible characteristics. It is under these circumstances that we make the following comments, trying to help build a very real picture, about the “History of the CWSP”.
Our first QSO with Tonico was in phone/AM, in early 1973, when he was operating a home-built XMTR (1 6L6/ 1 6L6), built by José Carlos PY2FSF. Our call signs were almost “neighbors” and we proposed to visit him for a “body present” chat. We know, in addition to the operator, a TX that transmitted in AM and in “closed circuit” only for the neighborhood and adjacencies (and only very adjacent adjacencies!…HIHI).
I also knew something much more important than the few Watts transmitted: a gleam in the operator’s eyes that revealed great joy, of someone discovering something entirely new, fascinating and that would give new motivation to his life, a life whose horizons until then, they didn’t go far beyond the reach of the wheels of his chair. With each contact he made, new friendships emerged and it was already becoming routine, especially on weekends, when a “round” was formed around him, in his own shack.
The electronic class, the love for the radio, and the conquered call sign now had an unexpected dividend: – a group of colleagues, permanently on their side – they even made them, at times, forget the pain and the your physical condition.
Here, his life was no longer confined within the walls of the small room, where it had been for more than thirteen years. By his side was always Muniz, PY2OE. The first equipment for CW, the first electronic keyer and the mini-QRP, were added by the “General” to the daily routine of the PY2FWT.
Despite all the change that amateur radio brought in his life, the problems caused by arthritis, which took away almost all his mobility, increased in moments of loneliness, causing him to seek help with new friends. Help was nothing more than words of comfort. One night I received a call from Dona Olga, Tonico’s mother, saying that he urgently asked for my presence in his QTH. I immediately went there and heard from him a great and sad report about a series of problems related to his physical condition, which hurt him and did not allow the prospect of a happy life. All this pessimism, mixed with a strong realism, was accompanied by a question: – “What can I do with my life? …” My answer, of course, would have to be kind, but without departing from reality. A little reticent, I replied:
– “My dear friend. The best way to move away from a problem is to try to replace it with one whose solution is simpler.”
I immediately presented some ideas that would help in the situation: “You can, for example, teach CW classes, assemble small equipment such as electronic keyers, prepare candidates for exams for licenses, etc.”
At this meeting, the idea of organizing a small club of CW operators was born, whose headquarters would be in their own home. As I had already participated with Leivas, PY1CBW in the foundation of PPC – “Carioca Woodpecker” (the first Brazilian CW group) in Rio de Janeiro, I already had some experience and our challenge would be easier. Tonico, from that moment on, put the CW above his intimate problems and started to have several ideas of what our “telegraphy club” would be like.
It was approximately in July of 1976. The statutes were defined and we also drew up a modest award that could be silk-screened. The first awards were printed on Tonico’s own shack. These
diplomas would be necessary for our first “big meeting”, aiming at the official installation of the group. With the diploma already printed and a statute ready, there wasn’t much else to decide… At that time, Tonico’s classroom was much smaller than the current one, measuring approximately 3 X 3 meters. As we had called about 15 colleagues to the meeting, it had to be held outdoors.
From then on, the “production” of cookies and coffee by Dona Olga increased considerably. Tonico’s mother always warmly welcomed us at all CWSP meetings.
This first meeting was attended by several colleagues. Simply by their presence, represented an expectation of a long life and constant progress for our club. It could not be otherwise. There were present: PY1DG Salema, PY2GUN Campos, PY2EIL Marcelino, PY2GPA Verago, PY2DHP Elza, PY2DCP Wilson, PY2OE Muniz, PY2FSF J, Carlos, PY2BMP J. Augusto, PY2FFW Roberto, PY4BZC/2 Oswaldo, PY2RT Garitano, PY2FWT Toni, PY2FWR Madsen.
The following were approved at this meeting: The official constitution of the group, its current name, the model of statute presented and the printed diploma. It was also decided to officially launch the CWSP Award, which took place at a GPCW – Grupo Praiano de CW anniversary dinner on 10/15/1976. From that day onwards, the contacts for the CWSP award became valid. Soon after, we signed the Postal Box No15.098, which was active for many years.
At that time, supported and encouraged by several colleagues, Tonico was starting, as a teacher, the first CW classes. Its first student was one of the great benefactors of the CWSP, our dear Orlando, PY2HAU.
The first printed materials (envelopes and letterheads) were donated by Orlando, as well as the telephone number 273-9572 that worked at “our” headquarters.
At the same time, the 1st edition of the great book “Curso para Radioamadores” (Lessons for Radio Amateurs) was published, in two volumes, by PY2DHP Elza, PY2DCP Wilson and the unforgettable PY2DJE, Romeu Toddai. The donation made by the authors, of one third of the copyrights in favor of our group, was decisive for the “start up” of the CWSP.
Eduardo, PY2WD (at the time PY2GZY) was the creator and responsible for making the printed circuit boards for the assembly of the ACCU-Keyer electronic keyer. This PCB, whose sales exceeded 700 units, in addition to substantial support for the group’s safes, served as a great promoter of the name of the CWSP, as well as effectively contributing to many colleagues to equip themselves with something really modern in terms of electronic keyer.
The paper work was with Campos, PY2GUN. This was a “heavyweight” collaboration that the group received. The organization of the books, the correspondence and the expedition of awards received much of its current organization from the hands of our “fat friend”.
The evolution of CWSP as a club is closely tied to the personal magnetism and incredibly human figure of PY2FWT. His quality as a CW operator, undoubtedly one of the best in the Brazilian Radio Amateur Network, served as a model for the evolution of the other members of the group. The optimism with which he faced the difficulties of life, made everyone stay around him, getting an example of how to face his own problems.
The sincere and unpretentious friendship he shared with everyone made Tonico an example of a true friend. For these and other reasons, we can without a doubt say that the “Grupo de CW de São Paulo – CWSP” (Sao Paulo CW Group), had a simple but at the same time grandiose origin, because it had its foundations based on the true love that unites good men.