Beme

[David Simpson]

Just come across an old piece of marine DF equipment made by Electronic & Marine Equipment Ltd of Hythe, Southampton. Name - BEME on Label.
Its a Model No BL50A, Metal Cabinet about 12" sq by 6" high, with a 12" dia adjustable loop on top. 3 bands - LW, MW & TW(Trawler Band). Will try & get a picture soon.
Any info please ?

Regards, David

[David Simpson]

Just received a photo from my V/R chum Steve.

Regards, David

[HMV 1120]

It is a D/F (Direction Finding) receiver designed for taking bearings onto shore-based beacons, broadcast stations or other vessels. The UK's maritime beacons are long gone but you may still receive aeronautical MCW NDBs, especially at night.

Rob

[David Simpson]

Steve has now got the BL50A fully functional. All we were looking for was info on the manufacturers, and hopefully a manual or circuit diagram on this particular set. Us both being fully conversent on old DF techniques.
From my past inquiries into old British marine el.companies(Coastal Radio, and Rees-Mace), I'm guessing that "Electronic & Marine Equipment Ltd" met the same fate.

Regards, David

[David Simpson]

Well Folks, I'm on the BEME trail again.
This time I've aquired a MN60 D/F Rx - Called a MINI-NAV.
About half the size of the BL50A and a much more compact DF Loop on top. The BL50A was a Mains Valve Set. This wee gem is a transistor set. Mid 60's as opposed to mid 50's, I suspect.
Electronic & Marine Equipment Ltd changed their name to BEME Telecommunications Ltd, but still based at Hythe, Southampton.
Any advice most welcome to help me research this company, and eventually aquire some technical gen on the Rx.

Regards, David

[Restoration73]

Found this
http://www.aviationancestry.co.uk/?a...advertId=15271

[Reelman]

I have also got a BL50A as per the picture above and am also looking for the circuit etc.
Many thanks if anyone is able to help.
Peter

[David Simpson]

I'm still plodding on with the 'Hythe, Southampton' query post. However, I've noticed that the MN60's speaker (lovely wee veneered cabinet) was made by B & G of Lymington - on the Solent, to the SW of Southampton. This raises the question - who are (or were) B & G ?

Regards, David

[Alan Stepney]

Brookes & Gatehouse

http://www.myleselectronics.com/bghistory06.html

[David Simpson]

Just thought I'd prod a few memories - to see if anyone has uncovered any technical info on these sets since my last post ?
I've exhausted all links referred to in the past, just end in brick walls. I've even had a note posted on the Hythe Community Centre's coffee shop's notice board - zilch!
Hopefully, a circuit diagram or two still exists somewhere. A Manual would be a gift from heaven!

Regards, David

[David Simpson]

Folks, just acquired two more Beme Rx's. Desperate for anyone with marine electronics contacts to make enquiries please for them to see if they have any technical data lying on a shelf somewhere.

Regards, David

[HamishBoxer]

Very nice but just remember more than one is a collection! It get's addictive.

[G3VKM_Roger]

Originally Posted by David Simpson

Folks, just acquired two more Beme Rx's. Desperate for anyone with marine electronics contacts to make enquiries please for them to see if they have any technical data lying on a shelf somewhere.

Hi David,

I had one of those RXs for a while (the model with the rod antenna) and I couldn't find much about it. Looking through Google hits, I see the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich have one with the loop aerial and the entry mentions an instruction sheet, contained in an envelope. It might be worth having a word with the curators dept?

http://www.culturegrid.org.uk/search/5427923.html

Noticed also a few hits on the American Motorboating magazine, which has adverts for the similar RX but with the loop aerial. It was being sold in the US back in 1954, so might be worth asking on US collectors sites?

Cheers

Roger/G3VKM

[David Simpson]

Thanks Roger for the info.,
I haven't tried Greenwich, so that info could be significant. I tried HMS Collingwood, they remember possibly seeing one in an old storeroom, but I've not heard back.
Right enough, they were sold in the USA. By a company called York Marine. I've been in touch with both the owner's widow & a former business partner - no documentation found.
I've even had a post on the notice board of the Hythe Community Centre, in the hope that an old ex employee might be located. Nothing !



Regards, David

[Ferguson 2000]

Hi David,

I have a BEME in the loft just like yours. I probably have a dozen or so DF sets and a calibration transmitter.

There are DF events on Top Band, 80m and 2m. Due to illness I have entered only two events so far this year (had to miss three).

I will try to post some pictures.

Best wishes, Geoffrey.

[David Simpson]

Hello Geoffery,
Yours now makes it a definite 7 Beme Loops I now know of in the UK. Many thanks for getting in touch.
More importantly - do you have any technical documentation such as a manual or circuit diagram ?
I've just tried Trawler Band Dx-ing with the BL55A on 80m, using my Doublet, but the BFO has only zeroed on to a couple of SSB transmissions + one CW. Sadly only about 2/2 if that. Nothing on 160m.
I'm sorry to hear that you've been poorly. Hopefully you're now on the mend.
Yes, some pictures would be great, please.

Regards, David

[Ferguson 2000]

Hi David,

Sorry no technical info, I will try to connect it up sometime.

Best wishes, Geoffrey.

[Racal Zonal]

David

Just to add to your survey I have had a BEME loop for around forty years, I bought it from a scrap dealer in Glasgow and had it working. I am afraid no tech details though.
Having had it for so long I was able to use it to receive the beacons both marine and air that were plentiful in the 70s.

[Radio Wrangler]

The air beacons are still there. quite recently pilots were required to show that they knew how to use them.

David

[turretslug]

Indeed, when I go around the UK/abroad I make sure of taking a little Sony portable with me whose LW extends to 530kHz for a bit of beacon chasing. Alright, each to their own...