September 3, 1939, VE3ADO and VE3TW pulled the Big Switch, and
VE9CNE was off the air.
In 1939 an amateur radio station was erected on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition to publicize the hobby. The call was VE9CNE. The usual low frequency gear was set up on the grounds and messages were accepted for transmission from visitors to the Exhibition to their friends and relatives in Canada and the United States. Harry Lang, VE3ADO, President of the Wireless Association of Toronto at that time, and a UHF enthusiast, thought it would be a good idea to have a five meter mobile unit around the grounds, and a base in one of the buildings, receiving and putting the reception over a loud speaker. The visitors would then become more interested in the project. This teas easily accomplished. The reception from St. Catharines, Hamilton and Buffalo, to the fixed station and to the mobile, was beyond expectation. The results were most gratifying; especially working a mobile from the CNE. The demonstration of amateur radio to the public was a definite success, but the joy of this accomplishment was bitter-sweet. On September 3, 1939. the Declaration of War between Great Britain and Germany put an end to all amateur activity. At 1815 EDST, on September 3, 1939, VE3ADO and VE3TW pulled the Big Switch, and VE9CNE was off the air. This was a sad day for hams all across Canada for the government of our country' had also declared war. A call was broadcast for volunteers amongst radio amateurs to join the armed services in aid of their country. Hams by the hundreds offered their knowledge and skills in all branches of Government forces. Others volunteered for special civilian duties. Thus they justified the faith and trust our country had bestowed on them. And so, over this land, amateur radio was stilled for the duration of the war.
