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Belgium MBLE MCR-1 →
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The receiver was supplied without a matching power supply unit (PSU) as it
was intended for use in combination with a
battery pack.
Although the production quantity is unknown, it is
likely that no more than 150 units were manufactured, as this is the
highest serial number encountered
[2].
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According to the serial number tag, the model name is MCR-1, but since
the suffix Bg (Belgium) is present in the part number and
on many of the accessories, we have added
it here to the model name as well, in order to discriminate it from the
original British MCR-1.
The device is also known as MCR-1 MBLE
[1].
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With a gap between 1.6 and 2.5 MHz.
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The diagram below shows the position of the controls and connections on
the (brown) Belgian MCR-1 receiver. At the front is the original
(grey) British MCR-1 receiver, which is nearly identical. The device is powered
by a separate battery block (not shown here). Antenna (A),
counterpoise (T) (ground)
and headphones (E) are connected to the four
banana sockets
next to the power cable.
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Differences with the original MCR-1
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Colour the MBLE version is finished in brown wrinkle paint, rather than flat grey. Knobs modern knobs are used on the MBLE-version. Markings all text is in French rather than English (and rotated by 90°). Cable the MBLE-version has a longer and thicker power cable. Headphones the MBLE-version comes with a canvas cloth-type pair of headphones. Sockets the sockets on the MBLE-version accept standard banana-type plugs. Components modern tuning capacitor and IF coils are used in the MBLE-version.
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The actual receiver measures 230 x 100 x 60 x mm and weighs 1473 grams (with
coil pack 1 installed). It is nearly identical to the
original British MCR-1
of WWII, except for the colour of the case, the type of knobs and the text labels.
At one end is a set of contact pins,
that accept one of four coil packs –
or frequency plug-in modules. At the other end is a rubber power cable that
should be connected to a suitable LT/HT battery (7.5V and 90V DC).
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The MCR-1 is suitable for four frequency bands, each of which requires
a specific coil pack to be installed on the
contact pins at one end
of the receiver. The biggest coil pack (1) is for the 150 kHz to 1.6 MHz MW
broadcast band.
The other packs (2-4) span the 2.5 to 15 MHz SW band.
The image on the right shows the MCR-1 (Bg) with coil pack (2) installed.
The other coil packs (1, 3 and 4) are on the right.
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The MCR-1 (Bg) was supplied with a fexible pair of headphones, embedded in
green canvas. They can be strapped to the operator's head, and are
thin enough to be worn under a soldier's helmet.
The headphones have a fixed cable with a pair of 4 mm banana plugs at the end,
that should be connected to the phones sockets of the MCR-1.
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The best reception is obtained with an outdoor wire antenna, but this is only
possible in a fixed setup. The image on the right shows the wire antenna
— wound onto a wooden spool —
that was supplied with the set.
Note that in this configuration, a counterpoise should be connected
as well. This was commonly done by using the ground pin shown below.
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When using the wire antenna shown above, it is important to connect a
suitable counterpoise as well, in order to obtain the best possible
result.
The ground pin should be pressed into the soil as deep as possible,
preferably in a place where the soil is not too dry. The wire has a banana
plug at the end, which should be connected to the ground terminal of the
MCR-1 receiver.
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The MCR-1 was usually powered with the dry battery shown in the image on
the right [2].
The battery measures 135 x 90 x 75 mm and weight 1212 grams.
Is supplies two voltages: 7.5V (LT) for the filaments and 95V (HT) for
the anodes. It was manufacturerd on 20 May 1965.
Original batteries are extremely rare, and the one shown here is the only
original one we've ever seen. Many thanks to Anton Steenbakkers for allowing
us to take photographs of it [2].
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Loop antenna
2A275 MCR1Bg
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When using the receiver in the field, or in a portable application, the use
of a wire antenna
(and counterpoise) might be impractical. In such cases, the
foldable loop antenna
– shown on the right – could be used as an alternative.
The antenna consists of three wire loops, which give the antenna some
directivity. This has the advantage that unwanted signals (from the sides)
are filtered somewhat. Furthermore, it allows the antenna to be used for
locating a transmitter (i.e. direction finding, or homing).
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The image below shows the pinout of the power socket of the battery pack.
Although the unit can also be powered by the
PSU
of the original British MCR-1,
this should be discouraged, as it carries the mains voltage on its chassis.
Use the British PSU only if you know exactly what your are doing.
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Below is the pinout of the four banana sockets on the body of the receiver. The two
sockets at the top (E) are for connection of the headphones (French: Écouteur),
the socket at the bottom left (A) is for connection of the antenna, and the one
at the bottom right (T) is for the ground (Terre) [3].
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Device Clandestine radio receiver Purpose Stay-behind reception of HF communication Model MCR-1 Bg Designator 2D 3000-1 Bg Manufacturer MBLE (Philips) Country Belgium Year Late 1950s Users Special Forces, Stay Behind (SDRA-8, STC/Mob) Frequency 150 kHz - 1.6 MHz, 2.5 - 15 MHz Bands 4 (see below) IF 1730 kHz Valves 1 × 1R5, 4 × 1T4 Power Dry battery pack LT: 7.5V, HT: 90V Current LT: 50mA, HT: 5-8mA Modulation AM R/T, CW Dimensions Bare receiver: 212 x 100 x 60 mm Weight Bare receiver: 1295 grams Quantity ~ 150
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150 kHz - 1.6 MHz 85 x 60 x 40 mm (178 grams) 2.5 MHz - 4.5 MHz 85 x 60 x 30 mm (152 grams) 4.5 MHz - 8 MHz 85 x 60 x 30 mm (154 grams) 8 MHz - 15 MHz 85 x 60 x 30 mm (154 grams)
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- Louis Meulstee, Wireless for the Warrior, volume 4
ISBN 0952063-36-0, September 2004
- Anton Steenbakkers, Original dry battery and highest serial number (150)
90/7½V. No.1, YC01606 E.R. 20 May 1965.
- Thomas Höppe, Personal correspondence
July 2023.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Saturday 23 March 2019. Last changed: Wednesday, 05 November 2025 - 12:07 CET.
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