First results from the Lithium Tokamak Experiment - $\beta $

LTX$\beta $, the upgrade to the Lithium Tokamak Experiment, has operated with full lithium coating of the plasma-facing surfaces, at increased toroidal field of 0.3 T. Plasma current has so far been limited to 100 kA. The upgrade includes a neutral beam injector provided by Tri-Alpha Energy Technologies - 600 kW of beam power has been injected so far. Up to 60{\%} of the injected power is deposited in the plasma, in agreement with NUBEAM modeling. Significant beam fueling is observed under some conditions. New insertable lithium evaporators have been installed on LTX$\beta $, which provide full wall coatings, with a 10-15 minute evaporation cycle. LTX$\beta $ retains the same plasma geometry, and the heated high-Z liner featured in LTX. Upgrades to the diagnostic set include active CHERs. New Lyman- $\alpha $ arrays will permit a determination of energy confinement time as a function of recycling. Here we will discuss first results from LTX$\beta $, as well as the research goals.