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Mini Probe Receiver
The MPR-1 was a miniature portable intercept radio, developed
by Mason Engineering Inc. (USA) in 1980,
as the successor to the A2
and A3 range of receivers.
It is a small modular design that can be enhanced at will.
The basic unit consists of the Mini Probe Receiver itself (MPR) and a tiny green
spectrum analyzer.
A small metal frame was used to hold the two units together.
The MPR-1 was succeeded by the improved MPR-5 receiver in 1990,
just before Mason closed down.
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The MPR-1 can be powered in several ways. When used as a portable
device, an external battery or an optional battery cabinet would
be used. When used as a table-top device, the supplied mains
adapter would be used.
To cover the very wide frequency range of the MPR-1, separate
plug-in modules were available for each different frequency band.
The image on the right shows a typical MPR_1 unit with a plug-in for the
800-1600 MHz range.
In all, 12 different plug-in modules were available,
spanning a range from 20 kHz
to 10 GHz (!)
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The MPR-1 is a very sensitive receiver, capable of finding very small
and weak bugs, but the wide frequency span of each module also has its price.
When 'sweeping' a room, one has to be careful when using multiple MPR
units with the same frequency plug-in, as the radiation of the receiver's
local oscillator is strong enough to 'confuse' your collegues.
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The MPR-1 was usually stored inside a sturdy aluminium case, or in a standard
Samsonite briefcase, together with the frequency modules and various
other accessories, such as the power supply,
cables, antennas, headphones and user manual.
The unit in the image below, is packed inside a Samsonite
attaché case that was commonly used in those days.
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The foam inside the case, has been pre-cut, so that each module can be
stored in its own place. The reciver is at the top right.
The main power supply is at the top left.
10 frequency plug-ins (tuners) are stored side-by side at the front.
They all have the same size and fit nicely into the tuner-slot of
the reciever. These 10 tuners (TMPR-1 thru 10),
cover the frequency range from 20 kHz to 1.6 GHz.
The manual, antenna's, cables and other accessories are stored
inside the case lid and inside other compartments of the case
(see list below).
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An additional plug-in
is available for the 1.6 to 10 GHz range.
This module (TMPR-11) is larger than the others and will stick out
of the front of the receiver when in use. This module is usually
stored inside the carrying case to the left of the receiver.
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The MPR-1 was supplied with a range of accessories, such as power supplies,
antennas, cables, connectors, etc. Some of these items
were supplied with the set as standard, others were optional extras.
Most accessories were stored inside the storage case.
The images below show some of the accessories supplied with our MPR-1.
Please note that over time, some items may have been lost or replaced.
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The MPR-1 was continuously improved over time, leading to small changes in
the product name. One example is the MPR-1b which was introduced in 1982.
At present, we are uncertain about the MPR-2 and MPR-3, but it is likely
that these were special (limited edition) versions of the MPR-1, as the initial
1980 MPR-1 manual lists case inserts for the MPR-1, 2 and 3 (see below).
The basic MPR-1 consists of a receiver (B-8) and the Visual Display (S-8b).
The two units were held together by a metal bracket: the so-called 2-pack
carrier. In 1982, the range of accessories was extended with a Frequency Counter
(FC-5) that was mounted in between the receiver and the visual display.
This was called the 3-pack version (MPR-1b). The MPR-1 shown on this
page is a 2-pack version. A similar frequency counter was also used with the
later MPR-5 receiver.
The tables below shows which parts were present with the MPR-1, either as standard
components, or as optional accessories. The two columns at the right show wether it
was a standard component with the MPR-1 or the MPR-1b.
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| Part
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Model
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Description
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1
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1b
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| 30543
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B-8
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Basic MPR (Mini Probe Receiver)
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| 30545-C
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TMPR-1
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Tuner 20 kHz to 5 MHz plug-in
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| 30546-C
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TMPR-2
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Tuner 5 MHz - 15 MHz plug-in
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| 30547-C
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TMPR-3
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Tuner 15 MHz - 25 MHz plug-in
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| 30548-C
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TMPR-4
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Tuner 25 MHz - 40 MHz plug-in
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| 30549-C
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TMPR-5
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Tuner 40 MHz - 75 MHz plug-in
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| 30550-C
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TMPR-6
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Tuner 75 MHz - 130 MHz plug-in
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| 30551-C
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TMPR-7
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Tuner 130 MHz - 230 MHz plug-in
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| 30552-C
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TMPR-8
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Tuner 230 MHz - 380 MHz plug-in
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| 30553-C
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TMPR-9
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Tuner 380 MHz - 625 MHz plug-in
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| 30590-C
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TMPR-10A
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Tuner 625 MHz - 1 GHz plug-in
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| 30554-C
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TMPR-10
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Tuner 1 GHz - 1.6 GHz plug-in
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| 30557
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TMPR-11
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Tuner 1.6 GHz - 10 GHz plug-in
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| 30544
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S-8
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Visual Display (Spectrum Analyzer)
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| 30595-D
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S-8b
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Visual Display (improved version, MPR-1b)
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| 30541
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FC-5
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Frequency Counter
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| Part
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Quantity
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Description
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1
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1b
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| PWD4163-B
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2
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Battery Holder
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| 30542
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1
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PS-16 AC Power Supply
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| 30412-D
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1
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PS-11A AC Power Supply (MPR-1b)
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| 7838-A
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1
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Power Adapter 3/2
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| 5654-A
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1
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European Adapter #1
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| 5655-A
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1
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European Adapter #2
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| R6292-A
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1
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Whip antenna - MPR
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| 30561
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1
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Microwave Antenna Ass'y
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| 6860-A
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1
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Gator clip adapter - MPR
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| 6858-A
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1
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Antenna Cable Extension complete
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| 6857-A
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1
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Microwave antenna cable complete
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| 30540
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1
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2-pack carrier (B8/S8)
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| 30588-D
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1
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3-pack carrier (B8/FC5/S8)
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| 30558-A
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1
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Long Wire Antenna Ass'y
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| 30568-A
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1
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Short Wire Antenna Ass'y
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| 30562-A
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1
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Blocking capacitor
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| 7821-A
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1
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Attaché Case
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| 7886-A
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1
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Case Insert - MPR-1
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| 7887-A
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1
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Case Insert - MPR-2
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| 7888-A
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1
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Case Insert - MPR-3 (discont'd in 1982)
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| 7967
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1
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Manual
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| 7807
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1
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Headset
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| 7832
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1
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Headset Cord
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© Copyright 2009-2013, Paul Reuvers & Marc Simons. Last changed: Thursday, 06 June 2013 - 13:01 CET
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