CW ARGENTINE GROUP - "GACW"

During June 1977, under an idea from Alberto U. Silva LU1DZ auranito@speedy.com.ar , a small group of radio amateurs founded, in the outskirts of Buenos Aires city, a social unit named "Grupo Argentino de CW -GACW-". A non commercial group dedicated to radiotelegraphy divulgation, a bulletin publishing and distribution, contests organization and support of radio amateurs rights and other activities related.

CW is an abbreviation for "continued wave"; which conveniently interrupted on periods of time make possible the building of dots and dash in order to express the Morse Code and make a DX communication possible (DX means "communication between great distance").

As time went by the GACW gained prestige and a world wide recognition, all built up with perseverance, seriousness and perfectly defined aims just with the human purpose of its three coordinators and the support of its 600 adherent members.

Most important task of the group was orientated to contribute, by ham radio communications, to make know all around the world amateurs in Argentina working in Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands, either by the groups's own expeditions or giving advices to others amateurs expeditions just as happened in 1979 with LU3ZY from Corbeta Uruguay Base located on South Sandwich Islands. That operation gave an Argentinian identity to that unsheltered piece of ground that, with the speed of light, passed from silence to knowledge of thousands of people all around the world. In fact this is the miracle of this kind of communications, so simple but so transcendent.

LU1DZ personally was, during 1983, on South Shetlands Islands; activating LU3ZI, logging more than 20.000 qso's on more than 100 nations. Others members of the group were in different locations on Antarctica. LU6UO -Mr. Hector Ombroni- and LU4AXV (now LU2AS) -Mr. Ernesto Durante- logged more than 23.000 qso's from Orcadas Islands activating LU6Z. This was a remarkable event since Orcadas was not activated for a very long time. Afterwards they activated LU1ZC with more than 38.000 qso's, located on Decepcion Island Army Base which was celebrating its 50th anniversary at that time. National Antarctica Secretary and National Army made possible these and others expeditions of the GACW, with a remarkable support.

International amateur community and some International Organizations have assigned to some South Atlantic Islands the "radio entity" status. This means that when an amateur station is activated on any of these places, is understood that the station denotes sovereign rights on that place, at least during the time the expedition is on. That's the reason why these kind of operations are so transcendental.

A "radio entity" identifies permanently, along its communications, to the political nation to which it belongs, or, in the worst case, it shows a potential identification; just as it happens with South Atlantic Islands politically incorporated to Tierra del Fuego Argentinian Province.

Even tough the GACW do not want to make any possession regain, which is a political business that exceed amateur radio activity, we as argentinians feel that all those territories belong to Argentina, and that's the reason why our duty seems to be so easy, getting so many spontaneous supports for this additional reason, besides of DX activities attraction. Anyway we must state that is not so easy to undertake these kind of operations due to high costs and complicated preparation.

During many years GACW, was directed by LU1DZ who was in charge of the edition and distribution of all kind of information from Buenos Aires city, he stay in touch, personally or by radio means, with many similar institutions spread out all over the world, edition and preparation of bulletins, meetings, etc, (see RULES).

GACW Actually

Raul M. DIAZ LU6EF - lu6ef@yahoo.com.ar was in charge of "GACW Bulletin" edition and is coordinator since GACW foundation. He is also QSL manager controlling and mailing all confirmation cards of all qso's that exceed 100.000, considering all dx expeditions up to date. He also is in charge of a weekly radial bulletin, with more that 700 emissions, with all kind of DX and related information.

Since November 15th 2002, Arnoldo "Tito" J. Corda LU7EE - ay7ee2002@yahoo.com.ar had been designed as a new GACW coordinator. He is a well known dx'er, QRP operations lover, and local and international contester. He is also in charge of an internet bulletin that is weekly distributed on more that 1000 members and DX lovers.

Tito´s compromise to follow the same way and procedures described in our rules to flying the Morse flag with all world wide CW and amateur radio operators, under the GACW rules of ethics, solidarity and sportmalike for the international community of amateur radios.

Since November 24th 2004 Héctor Ombroni LU6UO was elected to replace LU1DZ.. Héctor hectorombroni@yahoo.com.ar is a well know technician and DXer, he was main member of several GACW Antarctic DXexpeditions, argentines provinces activities, Amateur Radio a Safe Way for our Children promotion program and one of our "thinking persons".

He also compromise to follow the same rules and procedures for the benefits of the amateur radio community as LU1DZ did during many years .

Since November 20th of 2006, Carlos Guillermo Vahnovan LW1EXU guillev@v2r.com.ar was elected to replace Raúl LU6EF who asked for a rest after 29 years of work.

Both Raúl LU6EF and Alberto LU1DZ still working for our group as Counsellors.
Raúl continue transmitting the usual 3,514 MHz. Monday DX Bulletin and Alberto is the WWSA Contest Manager.

Pictures: Up - LU1DZ - Mid rigth- LU6EF - Mid left LU7EE - Bottom rigth - LU6UO - Bottom left LW1EXU.