Can you ID this Ultra Electric co. Tx/Rx with 'Scope please? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Anthony · 7th Jun 2011, 7:45 am

Can anyone ID this equipment on behalf of an acquaintance in the U.S.A.:-Transmitter/Receiver, UEL Type BR1062, mfd by Ultra Electric Co. London W3
3 pictures are attached.
It features a tiny CRT display, about 1.5 inch diam. Transmit and Receive tuning controls appear to be continuous, not stepped, but with no dial scale. Another continuously variable control is labeled Code A B C D. Very well built, looks like late 1950's technology but with a 1940's front panel. Form factor - small panel, deep unit, mounting centering pins suggest aviation hardware. Power marked 120 v AC, 28vdc. Opening the heavy aluminum lids, I find well shielded modules plugged into a central frame. No tubes visible at this point except the CRT. So,inside the compact modules there must be either submin tubes or transistors. More exploration soon.
So can anyone tell me what it is - civil aviation transponder, early IFF gear, or ?? What aircraft or ? might it have been used in ?
Many thanks for your help.

MichaelR · 7th Jun 2011, 8:10 am

If you google , you will see it is an aviation radio beacon developed in the 1950's. The link shows it's use in air/sea rescue

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchi...0-%201319.html

Mike

Stockden · 7th Jun 2011, 10:10 am

As Mike says, it is the rescuing aircraft end of the SARAH (Search And Rescue And Homing IIRC) system. The other end is a small TX/RX carried by aircrew in their survival equipment.

Hugh

Anthony · 7th Jun 2011, 11:19 am

Thank you very much to both MichaelR and Stockden. Any idea where noe might yet some circuit/operational info?

Dave UXB · 18th Jun 2011, 12:59 pm

Generally speaking, these sets worked on 121.5MHz (the International distress frequency). The airborne installation would have two aerials (one set on each wing) and the display would give a left-right indication.
I'm not sure about the transmitter, but if you feel like powering this beast up, I urge you to put a 50 ohm load on the Tx aerial. The penalties for transmitting on a distress frequency can be distressingly expensive.

Hope this helps.

Anthony · 27th Jun 2011, 10:51 pm

Dave UXB
Thank you.
Anthony

7th Jun 2011, 7:45 am	#1
Anthony Hexode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hertford, Herts. UK. Posts: 338	Can you ID this Ultra Electric co. Tx/Rx with 'Scope please? Can anyone ID this equipment on behalf of an acquaintance in the U.S.A.:-Transmitter/Receiver, UEL Type BR1062, mfd by Ultra Electric Co. London W3 3 pictures are attached. It features a tiny CRT display, about 1.5 inch diam. Transmit and Receive tuning controls appear to be continuous, not stepped, but with no dial scale. Another continuously variable control is labeled Code A B C D. Very well built, looks like late 1950's technology but with a 1940's front panel. Form factor - small panel, deep unit, mounting centering pins suggest aviation hardware. Power marked 120 v AC, 28vdc. Opening the heavy aluminum lids, I find well shielded modules plugged into a central frame. No tubes visible at this point except the CRT. So,inside the compact modules there must be either submin tubes or transistors. More exploration soon. So can anyone tell me what it is - civil aviation transponder, early IFF gear, or ?? What aircraft or ? might it have been used in ? Many thanks for your help. Attached Thumbnails

7th Jun 2011, 8:10 am	#2
MichaelR Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,587	Re: Can you ID this Ultra Electric co. Tx/Rx with 'Scope please? If you google , you will see it is an aviation radio beacon developed in the 1950's. The link shows it's use in air/sea rescue http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchi...0-%201319.html Mike

7th Jun 2011, 10:10 am	#3
Stockden Heptode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 648	Re: Can you ID this Ultra Electric co. Tx/Rx with 'Scope please? As Mike says, it is the rescuing aircraft end of the SARAH (Search And Rescue And Homing IIRC) system. The other end is a small TX/RX carried by aircrew in their survival equipment. Hugh

7th Jun 2011, 11:19 am	#4
Anthony Hexode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hertford, Herts. UK. Posts: 338	Re: Can you ID this Ultra Electric co. Tx/Rx with 'Scope please? Thank you very much to both MichaelR and Stockden. Any idea where noe might yet some circuit/operational info?

18th Jun 2011, 12:59 pm	#5
Dave UXB Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 116	Re: Can you ID this Ultra Electric co. Tx/Rx with 'Scope please? Generally speaking, these sets worked on 121.5MHz (the International distress frequency). The airborne installation would have two aerials (one set on each wing) and the display would give a left-right indication. I'm not sure about the transmitter, but if you feel like powering this beast up, I urge you to put a 50 ohm load on the Tx aerial. The penalties for transmitting on a distress frequency can be distressingly expensive. Hope this helps.

27th Jun 2011, 10:51 pm	#6
Anthony Hexode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hertford, Herts. UK. Posts: 338	Re: Can you ID this Ultra Electric co. Tx/Rx with 'Scope please? Dave UXB Thank you. Anthony