In 1941 the Admiralty decided to construct a radar station to overlook Denmark Strait off the north-west coast of Iceland.

The site finally selected was on the top of the promontory between Aðalvik and Ísafjarðardjúp at approximately 1600 ft. (480 m.) above sea-level. A base camp was to be set up at Sæbol in Aðalvik for the maintenance of the station. There was no landward communication except with a few hamlets in the immediate neighbourhood. Supplies were brought by sea from Reykjavík, 180 miles (290 km.) away. There was a telegraph service from Reykjavík to Ísafjörður, and a telephone from Ísafjörður to the base camp. Radio communication was used as little as possible.