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Vintage Amateur and Military Radio Amateur/military receivers and transmitters, morse, and any other related vintage comms equipment. |
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12th May 2015, 5:35 pm | #1 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeen, UK.
Posts: 2,852
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Western Electric/Bell Laboratories Equipment
In my research into BEME of Hythe, I have uncovered a possible link to WE/BL.
Back in 1949 WE had BL design a Radio Compass Unit to work along with their Marine R/T equipment. They called it the 50A. Its too much of a coincidence that BEME started to market their own badged Beme BL50A Radio Compass Rx in 1950 ! Are there any Western Electric &/or Bell Laboratories specialists out there on the Forum, or anyone who knows anything specifically about the 1949 WE/BL 50A Radio Compass ? I've always wonder who or what "B" in Beme Electronic & Marine Equipment Ltd stood for. Perhaps it was "Bell", not a businessman called Mr Brown or Black, or whoever, who resided in the Hythe/Southampton area. Today I've already had a stab at Googling the internet for a link, but nothing yet. Regards, David |
12th May 2015, 5:43 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 13,454
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Re: Western Electric/Bell Laboratories Equipment
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12th May 2015, 6:06 pm | #3 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeen, UK.
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Re: Western Electric/Bell Laboratories Equipment
Many thanks Lawrence. There is certainly a close similarity between the WE Loop Aerial and the Beme Loop shown in my recent Beme thread post. Similar sized loop mount & Compass Bezel assembly. I just need to have a shufti at the circuit diagram for this, and the WE 227B Rx. Mind you, being early 40's equipment they'll be using IO G or GT valves. In 1950, Beme were using wee B7G valves. Hence a more compact cabinet.
Looks as though I'm on to something. David |
12th May 2015, 6:42 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
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Re: Western Electric/Bell Laboratories Equipment
Good man.
As far as I can ascertain so far the Western Electric 50a Radio Compass hit the market in 1939. Lawrence. |
12th May 2015, 7:06 pm | #5 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeen, UK.
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Re: Western Electric/Bell Laboratories Equipment
Right enough, Lawrence, my info came from the recently acquired DEHS document, posted last week in my Beme thread. The article on the page was dated 1940.
My suspicion is that by the late 40's/early 50's Beme were able to make( or market Bell's) more compact loop Rx version of WE's older & bulkier 227B/50A combination. An association with a huge international conglomerate might explain why Beme had such a prestigious London HQ address in the 50's & 60's. When in fact they were just a wee insignificant Hampshire radio factory. Regards, David |
12th May 2015, 7:48 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cornwall, UK.
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Re: Western Electric/Bell Laboratories Equipment
It's possible that the "B" in B.E.M.E stands for Berne, I came across one of those snippet views in Google Books which referred to Berne Electronic & Marine Equipment, Hythe, 1953 I think it was.
From the same search source was Berne Telecomunications, Hythe, I think that was 1951. Maybe there was an amalgamation of those two companies ? Lawrence. |
12th May 2015, 9:27 pm | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeen, UK.
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Re: Western Electric/Bell Laboratories Equipment
Hello again Lawrence,
'Fraid I've already researched the different Beme addresses. The Hythe set-up is definitely Beme, not Berne. Probably just a poor pdf with indistinct lettering. I'm still on the trail of WE & BL, but nothing yet. Regards, David |
13th May 2015, 10:50 am | #8 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeen, UK.
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Re: Western Electric/Bell Laboratories Equipment
I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who is familiar with the Western Electric 227B Marine Radio Telephone? Seemingly, during the war it was used by the US Navy & given an AN designation.
Regards, David |