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The CWJF Group began in the 80’s with the ideas of an excellent telegrafist, our dear friend Julio (PY4AG) who with customary cordiality taught those interested in practice of morse code.
- The number of his students grew and CW became common practice of hams in Juiz de Fora. However one of these hams was outstanding in the facility with wich he learned in few lessons the reception and transmission of CW. This was our fellow member Paulo (PY4EM).
- Conversation at their work place gave Julio and Paulo the idea of forming a Group of CW in the city, at first, with local amateurs only. Meanwhile as the idea consolidated, two other amateurs joined them to begin a club, Guimaraes (PY4CY) and Alvaro (PY4RU), now a silent key.
- So as not to lose time, Paulo made an sketch for the diploma of the Club and drew up its by-laws.
- Finally a first meeting was called on May 31, 1985, the Anniversary of the City. By the end of this first day the Juiz de Fora Group for CW (CWJF) was formed with Julio (PY4AG) as president of the first directory and with a group of 17 member operators. However by the end of the decade of the 80’s the group paralyzed its activities, only regrouping in Feb. 1993.
- This year of 93 a Manchester Mineira Contest was created and in May 1993 our first contest was held for all Brazil with excellent results, which gave us the enthusiasm to continue. Several alterations in the statutes were processed principally to allow Radio Amateurs of other states and countries to take part in the group.
- We are the 1st Group of CW in Brazil to maintain a national contest with participation of at least one Amateur from each state in Brazil, fact happened in 94 and repeated in 95.
- For 10 consecutive years (1993 – 2003) we have surpassed our own records, a remarkable feat.
- In 1997, after receiving many letters from Radio Amateurs from Latin America we enlarged the scope of our contest to all of the South American continent, obtaining with this exceptional indices of participation. At the present time more than 200 Amateurs belong to the Club, with great honor.
- Our next objective is to consolidate during the next years the Manchester Mineira Contest in all America (South America, Central America, North America). In 2011, the Manchester Mineira All America CW Contest was expanded to all five (5) continents, with the new name of: CQ Manchester Mineira DX Contest.
- The CQ MM DX Context, is to be held on the 3rd weekend of April.
