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Backgrounder
THE NWT AND YUKON RADIO SYSTEM
The Northwest Territories (NWT) and Yukon Radio System was known in the communication field as an efficient, reliable and rapid means of communication throughout the vast north. The high standard of operation and low error factor speaks well of the men who were employed on the System.
In 1922, the vast Canadian north from Hudson’s Bay to the Alaska border, comprised of the Northwest Territories and the Yukon Territory, had no means of communication with civilization, or "outside" as it was known, except a limited mail service by boat in summer and dog-team in winter. In addition to this limited mail service, Dawson City, Yukon, was served by a telegraph line from Hazelton, British Columbia, operated by the Dominion Government Telegraph Service. The telegraph line was not very reliable due mainly to maintenance difficulties as it ran for hundreds of miles through uninhabited wilderness and over extremely rugged terrain.
The first signals were received through the Corps’ wireless communications network on Oct. 20, 1923, at Mayo, Yukon. During the life of the system, there were 40 separate transmission stations, including relay stations in more southerly locations such as Edmonton and North Battleford. The system remained in operation until 1959, transmitting weather information and connecting northern communities to each other as well as to the south. It contributed significantly to the development and settlement of the north, as well as to public safety.
With the loss of the system in the 1950s, the Signal Corps regrettably lost a most valuable method of training Signals personnel in maintaining equipment and the art of passing traffic efficiently. It also taught men to be self-reliant and readily accept responsibility, which in turn provided excellent non-commissioned officers and officers of the Corps.
In 1922, the vast Canadian north from Hudson’s Bay to the Alaska border, comprised of the Northwest Territories and the Yukon Territory, had no means of communication with civilization, or "outside" as it was known, except a limited mail service by boat in summer and dog-team in winter. In addition to this limited mail service, Dawson City, Yukon, was served by a telegraph line from Hazelton, British Columbia, operated by the Dominion Government Telegraph Service. The telegraph line was not very reliable due mainly to maintenance difficulties as it ran for hundreds of miles through uninhabited wilderness and over extremely rugged terrain.
The first signals were received through the Corps’ wireless communications network on Oct. 20, 1923, at Mayo, Yukon. During the life of the system, there were 40 separate transmission stations, including relay stations in more southerly locations such as Edmonton and North Battleford. The system remained in operation until 1959, transmitting weather information and connecting northern communities to each other as well as to the south. It contributed significantly to the development and settlement of the north, as well as to public safety.
With the loss of the system in the 1950s, the Signal Corps regrettably lost a most valuable method of training Signals personnel in maintaining equipment and the art of passing traffic efficiently. It also taught men to be self-reliant and readily accept responsibility, which in turn provided excellent non-commissioned officers and officers of the Corps.
News Release associated with this Backgrounder.
