Former Mid-Canada Line Site 403

 abandoned / shut down, former air force base, early warning radar

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One of approximately 90 unmanned remote radar stations spanning Canada along the 50th parallel, Site 403 was activated for service with the Mid-Canada Line in April of 1957. Reporting to, controlled by and maintained by Sector Control Station 400 at Great Whale River, Site 403 was a typical Detection Site consisting a 28 X 60 feet prefabricated building divided into power, equipment and living quarters, with an external 350ft tall steel lattice tower which mounted the four Doppler transmitters facing East/West in transmitting/receiving pairs which functioned as a a low-altitude "trip wire" defense against Soviet aircraft.

Site power and heat was provided by three diesel electric generators, two of which were usually on automatic standby, which were fitted with heat exchangers on their exhaust lines to provide heat for the station living area and detection and communications equipment room. The building also was equipped with a small galley, sanitary facilities and berthing for the technicians who would deploy to the site to perform maintenance tasks. The remote location of the site meant it was only accessible by helicopter, and only when weather conditions would permit safe navigation and flight operations.

Remaining operational through the life of the Mid-Canada Line, Site 403 and the rest of the Eastern Sector was formally shut down in April of 1965. To date the site has been neither demolished nor environmentally remediated.

lswilson.dewlineadventures.com/scs400.htm