As we are experiencing one of mildest winters in Calgary, that hasn’t been the case on the mountain-top sites in northern BC. The ice and frost on the towers look amazing but reminds us of how extreme the conditions are and the reason for over-engineering the structures. We have 3 of the 4 sites in full operation but not without a few bumps along the way. One of the sites had a Pine Martin (extremely cute animal) access the shelter through a vent and proceeded to chew some of the cabling inside that caused the site to go down temporarily. The Mount Morice site has seen an unusual amount of ice and frost, which has made for additional maintenance trips to remove the build-up.

Final preparations of the tower foundation at Little Mount Elizabeth (SCCM-1) were completed in mid-September and required additional engineering. Once completed our team was able to pour the foundation and finish constructing the tower. Currently 2 of the 4 sites are operating at full capacity and the 3rd site requires final alignments and commissioning.

Excellent weather conditions in early May allowed us to have 2 crews working continuously. One crew worked on foundations and structures at Corona Peak while the other continued similar operations at Thermal Peak. Additional excavation of the uneven rock was performed at both sites to reduce the amount of concrete material required to level the tower footings. Corona Peak tower was erected May 10, 2020 with completion of the shelter pad by May 12th. The tower installation at Thermal Peak was completed May 12, followed by more inclement weather.

Rigstar implemented a Long-Haul Cellular service solution to the Parsnip Camp and upgraded the Microwave Wireless Data capacity into the camp from 300Mbps to 1Gbps.

Rigstar had to access a mountain top repeater tower to install cellular and microwave gear via a 14km Snowmobile only access trail. Our team was able to complete the install during Christmas break before pipeline work commenced in the new year.

The cellular service was implemented by boosting and repeating the cellular service at the mountain top repeater tower from an existing carrier’s network. The signal was aimed at the recently constructed Parsnip Camp tower where it was amplified up by a custom-built parabolic dish antenna. The service was then delivered via fibre from the tower to the camp where the signal was enhanced and rebroadcasted into the camp.

It has taken almost a year to obtain land permits and licensing to start construction of the site. This location is essential for servicing three of the camps: Huckleberry, 9A, and P2 with high-speed Internet and will provide additional two-way digital coverage for the east end of section 8. The Rigstar team, along with our valued contractors will be constructing a 12-metre tower to support the equipment required to commission all three-microwave links. This tower will use solar as the primary power source and a shelter will be constructed on top of a 3’ platform at the base of the tower. The complete construction process is scheduled to last 2-months due to the level of complexity associated with the tower build:

• Shorter days – limit the working hour
• Additional safety measures and emergency response planning
• Continuous snow removal of the construction area
• Hoarding required to protect the workers from the elements
• Hoarding and heating required to pour and cure the concrete
• Hoarding and heating required to cure the grout for several days
• Additional materials require multiple Heli-lifts to the mountain top

Our team deployed a portable tower to service the Sukunka camp via licensed microwave.

Rigstar introduces temporary Internet, VoIP and Television services to the Parsnip camp. Permanent Internet services to arrive in the fall of 2019.

Rigstar is committed to investing in local communities and hiring regional staff to support our network and camp personnel. Mr. Zack Gilks accepted the role of Regional Manager and will be responsible for day-to-day operations for the project and surrounding area.

Rigstar brings another office online that is located on the West section of the pipeline.

Rigstar hires local Project Manager, John Steward from Smithers, BC to lead our Network Team in the field. Rigstar successfully deployed telecom services to the 1st site along the 670-kilometre pipeline route. Our team worked tirelessly with CGL and the Prime Contractor to meet the expedited schedule. Construction also begins on the Digital Two-way Radio system.

Rigstar allocated resources to the project and appointed Jim Marshall as the Senior Project Manager. Mr. Marshall had successfully managed and designed complex Telecom projects throughout the United States, Mexico, South Korea, South America, Germany, Russia, and Canada. Jim was very dedicated to the project and at his own leisure he visited the CGL route on one of his last motorcycle tours. Upon his return, Jim worked on the final design and successfully structured a TV option with one of Canada’s major cable providers. Sadly, James Edward Marshall unexpectedly passed away shortly after the project was awarded to Rigstar. In his loving memory, Rigstar along with the CGL Team have dedicated one of our Mountain Top Repeater sites on Mount Morice in his honour.