Colouradios

A mains adaptor for use with the Beolit 400 and 600. It provided 7.5V and saved considerably on battery costs when the set was in use where mains power was available. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1971-1975) Portable FM radio, 1x1W (undistorted)

Type number: 1503

The Beolit 400 was a simpler version of the Beolit 600 that covered the FM band only. There were many detail changes, the most obvious of which was that the “ball bearing” tuning pointer had been replaced by a more familiar Perspex pointer. The reason for this change was that the scale of the Beolit 400 was fitted with station markers that could be slid into position and which briefly blocked the progress of the cursor as it was slid across the dial. This system did not work very well as the markers tended to move with the cursor and soon become inaccurate. Also missing was the tape recorder/record player socket, as there were no band selector switches to select it with. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Coverage of only the FM band meant that the circuitry of the Beolit 400 could be simplified and refined. Performance was truly excellent, with easy, stable tuning (helped by a powerful AFC system), low noise and low distortion. The circuit of the FM-only receiver looked more like that of a Hi-Fi tuner than a portable radio. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Like the Beolit 600, the Beolit 400 could be fitted with different coloured side panels to suit the owner’s taste. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1971-1975) Portable FM/MW/LW radio, 1x1W (undistorted)

Type numbers: 1501, 1504

The Beolit 600 was the first in a new range of portable radios that formed the basis for the final series of Beolit models. The styling borrowed certain cues from the previous Beolit 1000, though the new 600 was a smaller and lighter set with fewer features. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The casework of the Beolit 600 was slim and elegant. The central section was faced on all sides, including the bottom, with brushed aluminium. The tuning scale and all controls were placed on the top, whilst the bottom plate could be slid sideways to release the rear cover for replacement of the 5 “D” sized batteries. The front and rear covers could be easily changed without the use of tools, and different colours were available to suit the owners taste. All were of coloured moulded plastic, the luxurious hardwood and leather finishes of the previous models were not available for the Beolit 600. The design of the scale and controls was very similar to that of the larger Beomaster models of the period, with long straight lines and slim sliding controls. The tuning dial was novel, using ball bearings running in Perspex covered channels to act as a pointer. These were linked to the tuning cursor by a strong magnet inside. The cursor itself had two thumbwheels which could be used for fine adjustment of the tuning. Both AM and FM bands were covered, and in one version MW and LW were available, while in another these were replaced by 2 SW bands. The SW model had an extra “fine tuning” control mounted next to the rod antenna labelled “SW expander”. The MW/LW model included a built-in ferrite rod antenna, whilst both versions featured powerful AFC for FM. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Connections were provided for a extra loudspeaker, a record player or tape recorder (which could be played through the Beolit’s amplifier and loudspeaker by pressing two of the band selector switches at once) and an external power unit. Unlike the Beolit 1000, there was no advantage, other than a reduction in battery costs, to using the external power unit, output was fixed at about 1W. The output stage was of a new design and was the first in a Beolit to operate in a “transformerless” configuration. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Although the introduction of the Beolit 600 marked the simplification of the portable range, which went from offering a wide range of different models to a choice of different versions of basically the same model, it proved very popular and sold strongly. The basic style and shape continued to be available throughout the 1970s. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1974-1975) Portable FM radio, 1x1W (undistorted)

Type number: 1506

A version of the Beolit 400 which included a built-in mains power unit. There were also some small detail changes, the most important of which was the inclusion of a two position tone switch located next to the AFC switch. This performed a simple “top cut” function that took the bright “edge” away from FM broadcasts. The left-hand side panel of the cabinet was also redesigned and the DC inlet socket removed. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Like the Beolit 400, this model was not very popular in the UK as only a limited number of stations were available on FM at the time. The Beolit 500 was replaced by the Beolit 505. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1974-1975) Portable FM/MW/LW radio, 1x1W (undistorted)

Type number: 1505

A version of the Beolit 600 which included a built-in mains power unit. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1976-1981) Portable FM radio, 1x1W (undistorted)

Type number: 1516

A revised version of the Beolit 500, distinguishable by its black anodised metal parts. Other differences where the same as those described for the Beolit 707. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

(1976-1981) Portable FM/MW/LW radio, 1x1W (undistorted)

Type number: 1515

The Beolit 707 was an updated version of the Beolit 700, and included all the same features. It could be easily distinguished as all the metal parts were anodised black and marked with white lettering. The removable front and rear panels remained, but were offered in new colours and finished in Nextel, a synthetic finish that was described as being “suede-like”. Minor revision had been made to the circuitry, though specification and performance remained substantially unaltered. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The Beolit 707 was the last model in this long running and successful series and remained in the catalogue until 1979. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.