Pinetree Progress Reports

National Archives of Canada


Pinetree Progress Reports
Report No. 11
Dated 15 June 1953

Page 1 of 13

Construction

Since construction has been completed or is nearing completion at most sites the only detailed reporting required is on operations facilities such as towers, operations buildings, receiver and transmitter buildings. Consequently, except for NEAC sites 25 to 31 inclusive, reports on domestic facilities have been deleted.

Interim Operation

TPS-1D radar facilities are being used to carry out interim operations at eight USAF ADC sites. Sites 10 (Ramore), 14 (Pagwa), 15 (Armstrong), 16 (Sioux Lookout), 17 (Beausejour), 19 (Puntzi Mountain), 20 (Baldy Hughes) and 21 (Saskatoon Mountain).

Limited Operations

RCAF ADC Sites 1 and 2 (Mont Apica and Lac St. Denis) have been carrying on limited operations since Jul 1952, and sites 3 (Foymount), 4 (Edgar) and 9 (Falconbridge) will be engaged in limited operations 15 Jun 53, with sites 7(Parent) and 8 (Senneterre) scheduled for limited operations 30 Jun 53.

Equipment

AN/FPS-3 back-up radar – A sub-contract has been signed between the Department of Defence Production (Canada) and Canadian Arsenals Ltd., for the production of this equipment. The equipment has been released for production and component procurement is under way. The tentative production schedule is: prototype completion, 30 Apr 54, two units for Aug 54, four for Sep 54, six for Oct 54, six for Nov 54 and four in Nov 54. If necessary to meet NEAC open shipping season in 1954 the first six units off the line can be assigned priority to provide for the six most isolated NEAC sites. Depot spares, operating spares and test equipment will be delivered concurrent with main equipment.

Communications

(i) – Tie Lines: – Circuits reported “in service” or “available” since last report dated 15 May 53 are shown on page 3 of this report.

(ii) – Tail Cables – Provisioning of all tail cables and “N” carrier systems in Newfoundland is progressing.

(iii) – Communications facilities at RCAF sites

a – Microwave

Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 – St. Hubert to Lac St. Denis, Mont Apica, Foymount and Edgar – June completion dates noted in Report No. 10 dated 15 May 53 appear to be realistic.

Phase 5 – Falconbridge – St. Hubert – Installation to be completed 24 Jun 53.

Page 2 of 13

Phase 6 – Senneterre – St. Hubert via Falconbridge – Installation estimated complete 1 Sep 53.

Phase 7 – Parent – St. Hubert via Falconbridge – Construction proceeding. Telecommunications installation to commence Oct 53.

Phase 8 – Parent – St. Hubert via Mont Apica – Construction proceeding. Telecommunications installation to commence Oct 53.

b – VHF air-ground-air and HF back-up communications – No change from last Report No. 10 dated 15 May 53.

(iv) – Communications Installation at USAF-financed sites

Site 10 – Ramore – Outside telephone plant completed, work is under way toward the installation of receiver and transmitter antenna farms.

Site 14 – Pagwa – Installation of outside telephone plant underway.

Site 19 – Puntzi Mountain – Work progressing on antenna farms.

Site 24 – Goose Bay – Installation of outside telephone plant began 8 Jun 53.

Radar Installation

Site 5 – Chatham – AN/FPS-3 is 10% complete. AF/ISG-98 is 25% complete.

Site 10 – Ramore – AN/FPS-3 is 95% complete.

Site 14 – Pagwa – AN/FPS-3 is 95% complete and systems tests are 75% complete.

Site 17 – Beausejour – Installation commenced.

Site 34 – Sydney – Installation crew expected on site 15 Jun 53.

Site 25 – Gander – Installation crew expected on site before 30 Jun 53.

Installation Engineering – Telecommunication Engineering Group

a – RADIO

Engineering plans and specifications detailing the installation of HF Point-to-Point and UHF-VHF air/ground facilities for the 18 USAF-financed, USAF-manned Pinetree sites, including Gander, have been completed and distributed to all installation contractors and affected military agencies. The Canadian Marconi Company Ltd., is engaged in the installation engineering of the LF antenna sites and has made progress in this regard. Since decision has been made to construct the additional transmitter site at Goose Bay engineering and installation is proceeding as originally planned.

Page 3 of 13

b – RADAR

Engineering plans and specifications for the prime radar and associated identification facilities, with the exception of engineering plans and specifications for the AN/FPS-502 radar and its associated identification component have been completed and fully distributed to the installation contractors concerned and to all affected military agencies. As stated in our report of Apr 53, installation engineering action on the AN/FPS-502 and associated IFF is being held in abeyance pending further information as to the configuration of this equipment.

c – WIRE FACILITIES

(i) – Outside Plant:

All engineering plans and specifications detailing the installation of the outside plant facilities at all USAF-financed, USAF-manned sites, including Gander, have been completed and distributed to all interested agencies.

(ii) – Inside Plant:

The Ne-612 (EW) telephone system is being produced at the Northern Electric Company plant and all necessary engineering on this system has been completed (three have been shipped). Engineering on the NE-611 telephone system is now under way with no major problems anticipated.

TIE LINES – Circuits reported “in” or “available” since last report dated 15 May 53.

DND

Circuit

No.

Type of

Service

(V or VT)

FROM

TO

In

or

Avail

Remarks

190

T

Chatham

St. Hubert

A

 

554

V

Vancouver ADCC

Holberg

In

Installed 1 May 53

555

V

Vancouver ADCC

Holberg

In

Installed May 53

938A

V

Vancouver ADHQ

Vancouver ADCC

In

Now being supplied by RCAF

938B

V

Vancouver ADHQ

Vancouver ADCC

In

Now being supplied by RCAF

938C

V

Vancouver ADHQ

Vancouver ADCC

In

Now being supplied by RCAF

938D

V

Vancouver ADHQ

Vancouver ADCC

In

Now being supplied by RCAF

938F

V

Vancouver ADHQ

Vancouver ADCC

In

Now being supplied by RCAF

Pages 4 to 13 of 13 are missing.

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