Lokata
Encyclopedia
The Lokata Company was formed in the late 1970s in Falmouth
, Cornwall
, UK. The first product was a combined marine receiver and direction finder, for yachts and small boats. From there, the company designed and manufactured products for the marine electronics market, including communications receivers, Navtex receivers, radar detectors, transponders and emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs).
The company was acquired by Kelvin Hughes Ltd
, and eventually moved to Hainault
in Essex
. Production of Lokata-branded products has ceased, as the company now concentrates on products for commercial shipping. Thousands of Lokata products remain in use worldwide.
In 2001, support for Lokata EPIRB products was transferred to Sartech Engineering Ltd.
In 1983 a New Scientist
article covered a story about the inventor of a Lokata product called the "Watchman", a passive marine radar detector. He had independently re-invented part of the well-known Exocet
missile's guidance system in his invention. This led to some publicised controversy involving the MOD
and the Patent Office discussed in New Scientist magazine. The Ministry of Defence tried to requisition his patent
, but he defied the secrecy order and went public and a public row arose about possible loss of employment
making Lokata Watchmans in Falmouth, Cornwall
where he lived.
Falmouth, Cornwall
Falmouth is a town, civil parish and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a total resident population of 21,635.Falmouth is the terminus of the A39, which begins some 200 miles away in Bath, Somerset....
, Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, UK. The first product was a combined marine receiver and direction finder, for yachts and small boats. From there, the company designed and manufactured products for the marine electronics market, including communications receivers, Navtex receivers, radar detectors, transponders and emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs).
The company was acquired by Kelvin Hughes Ltd
Kelvin Hughes
Kelvin Hughes Ltd is a designer and manufacturer of marine navigation systems and a supplier of navigational data to both the commercial marine and government marketplace...
, and eventually moved to Hainault
Hainault
Hainault is an area in the London Borough of Redbridge in north east London. It is a suburban development located north east of Charing Cross...
in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
. Production of Lokata-branded products has ceased, as the company now concentrates on products for commercial shipping. Thousands of Lokata products remain in use worldwide.
In 2001, support for Lokata EPIRB products was transferred to Sartech Engineering Ltd.
In 1983 a New Scientist
New Scientist
New Scientist is a weekly non-peer-reviewed English-language international science magazine, which since 1996 has also run a website, covering recent developments in science and technology for a general audience. Founded in 1956, it is published by Reed Business Information Ltd, a subsidiary of...
article covered a story about the inventor of a Lokata product called the "Watchman", a passive marine radar detector. He had independently re-invented part of the well-known Exocet
Exocet
The Exocet is a French-built anti-ship missile whose various versions can be launched from surface vessels, submarines, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Hundreds were fired in combat during the 1980s.-Etymology:...
missile's guidance system in his invention. This led to some publicised controversy involving the MOD
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
and the Patent Office discussed in New Scientist magazine. The Ministry of Defence tried to requisition his patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
, but he defied the secrecy order and went public and a public row arose about possible loss of employment
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
making Lokata Watchmans in Falmouth, Cornwall
Falmouth, Cornwall
Falmouth is a town, civil parish and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a total resident population of 21,635.Falmouth is the terminus of the A39, which begins some 200 miles away in Bath, Somerset....
where he lived.