Microdyne 1400-MR Telemetry Receiver 105-316-81 RF Tuner 1411-VT 50-90 MHz PM

Microdyne 1400-MR Telemetry Receiver 105-316-81 RF Tuner 1411-VT 50-90 MHz PM

The Microdyne 1400-MR is a modular rackmount telemetry receiver designed for the reception, demodulation, and display of RF telemetry signals. Built around an interchangeable module architecture, the 1400-MR allows operators to configure the system for different frequency bands and demodulation modes by swapping plug-in modules. This unit carries part number 105-316-81 and is configured with the 1411-VT(70) RF tuner, the 1451-D PM demodulator, and the 1420 I Series IF filter amplifier, covering the 50–90 MHz VHF band with 100 KHz bandwidth.

Specifications & What's Included

• Manufacturer: Microdyne Corporation, Ocala, Florida — Made in USA
• Model: 1400-MR
• Part Number: 105-316-81
• RF Tuner Module: 1411-VT(70), 50–90 MHz
• PM Demodulator Module: 1451-D
• IF Filter Amplifier Module: 1420 I Series
• Spectrum Display Unit: 1461-5 (integrated, visible on front panel)
• Bandwidth: 100 KHz
• Modulation Type: PM (Phase Modulation)
• Loop Width: selectable — 30, 100, 300, 1K, 3K, 10K
• 2nd LO Mode: XTAL / VFO / AFC / EXT selectable
• Front Panel Displays: Center Frequency (MHz/KHz), RF Frequency, Demodulator DEV and Level, Video Bandwidth
• Front Panel Controls: Audio Gain, Mode (REC/PBK/CAL), Power On, Loop (CLOSED/SEARCH/LOCK/OPEN), Enable/Range/Enable sweep, Anti-SB
• Rear Panel Connectors (BNC unless noted): RF Input (J24), Playback Input (J22), Ref OSC Input (J3), 2nd LO External Input (J5) / Output (J6), AM Output (J10), SDU Output (J17), Record Output (J13), Sig Str Record Polarity switch (S4), ACC MOD VU Input (J19), Pre-D IF Input (J25), CFM Output (J18), IF Out Limited (J15, J23), Combiner Outputs — AGC (J7) / Logic (J9), LIN 1 (J14), LIN 2 (J16), Video Out 1 (J11) / Out 2 (J12), Mode FM/PM switch (S5), Couple AC/DC switch (S6)
• Accessory Connector: DB-25 J20 on rear panel
• Power: 115/230 VAC, 1.5/0.75A, 50–60 Hz (IEC inlet)
• Form Factor: Rackmount (approximately 4U)
• MPU PCB: A23-U1, P/N 105-939-53
• PROM Configuration Date: August 1998
• Rear heatsink: large purple anodized finned heatsink with four power transistors

Applications

The Microdyne 1400-MR series was a widely used telemetry ground station receiver in aerospace, defense, and range instrumentation environments from the 1980s through the 2000s. Telemetry receivers of this type are used to receive and demodulate RF downlink signals from airborne, missile, and spacecraft test vehicles transmitting flight-test data — including PCM, FM, and PM-modulated streams — back to a ground station. The 1400-MR's modular plug-in architecture made it a standard platform at government test ranges, military proving grounds, and aerospace facilities, where different frequency-band tuners and demodulator modules could be swapped to match the test vehicle's transmitter. The 50–90 MHz VHF band covered by the 1411-VT(70) tuner is the classic IRIG-standard lower telemetry band, used for shorter-range or lower-altitude test applications. The integrated spectrum display unit (1461-5) provides operators with a real-time visual of the received signal, aiding in carrier acquisition and tracking. These receivers remain in demand for maintaining legacy ground station infrastructure at test ranges and for calibration and research applications where the IRIG VHF telemetry band is still in use.