Western Electric/Bell Laboratories Equipment - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

David Simpson · 12th May 2015, 5:35 pm

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

ms660 · 12th May 2015, 5:43 pm

Is this the one (scroll down page)

http://www.durenberger.com/documents/WGST.pdf

Lawrence.

David Simpson · 12th May 2015, 6:06 pm

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

ms660 · 12th May 2015, 6:42 pm

Good man.

As far as I can ascertain so far the Western Electric 50a Radio Compass hit the market in 1939.

Lawrence.

David Simpson · 12th May 2015, 7:06 pm

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

ms660 · 12th May 2015, 7:48 pm

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.

David Simpson · 12th May 2015, 9:27 pm

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

David Simpson · 13th May 2015, 10:50 am

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

12th May 2015, 5:35 pm	#1
David Simpson Nonode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aberdeen, UK. Posts: 2,852	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
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Western Electric/Bell Laboratories Equipment Is this the one (scroll down page) http://www.durenberger.com/documents/WGST.pdf Lawrence.

12th May 2015, 6:06 pm	#3
David Simpson Nonode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aberdeen, UK. Posts: 2,852	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
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	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
David Simpson Nonode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aberdeen, UK. Posts: 2,852	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
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	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
David Simpson Nonode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aberdeen, UK. Posts: 2,852	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
David Simpson Nonode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aberdeen, UK. Posts: 2,852	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