BELAR HISTORY

Belar Electronics Laboratory, Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of modulation monitors, which are used by radio and television stations to monitor important technical aspects of their broadcast signal. Belar also makes frequency monitors, specialized AM receiving antennas, and other related equipment for the broadcast industry.

Belar was founded in 1964 by the late Isobel (“BEL”) and Arno (“AR”) Meyer.  Arno Meyer is still the President and owner.  They started Belar in the basement of their house in Drexel Hill, PA, doing consulting and product design.  The company moved to larger facilities in Upper Darby, PA in the late 60's, and then to its current location in Devon, PA in 1972.

The company was started to supply radio stations with the newly required FM stereo monitoring equipment, and later expanded to supply equipment needed by AM, shortwave, and TV broadcasters.  Belar has always tried to offer products with the highest performance possible at a reasonable price.  The Federal Communications Commission first used Belar monitors to verify their measurement of commercial FM broadcast stereo performance standards in the mid-1960’s. Since then, Belar monitors have become industry standards, used as test instruments by many broadcast industry manufacturers (such as transmitter companies, etc.) to ensure that the products they make meet their specifications.

Belar products are also known for their durability—the vast majority are still in use today.   Belar shipped its first model FMM-1 FM Monitor in 1966 to what is now WBEB 101.1, Philadelphia, where it is still in use as a back-up monitor.

In 2001, in recognition of Arno Meyer’s  and Belar’s contribution to the industry, the National Association of Broadcasters awarded Arno Meyer with the coveted NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award.

Belar markets its products domestically and internationally by direct sales and through distributors.  Belar products are in use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in almost every country in the world.