I have a "newer" Radarange--doesn't have the pretty chrome or bank vault like door.Its pretty generic-now just sits in the corner.It too-is missing its chamber "shelF"-got lost in a move.It worked the last time I used it-several years ago-but bet the electrolytics in its control panel are dried out-nonuse dries the electrolytics out.the shelf in mine was some sort of plastic-not glass.Bought the unit at Wards-the one in Marlow Heights,Md ,about 14 years ago.Just haven't gotten around to getting it a shelf-have two other microwave cookers I use.
Radarange troubles
- Thread starter rickr
- Start date
It's hard to believe how much they cost when new, all microwaves in general, and how cheap they are now. Many new toaster ovens cost more now than a new small microwave oven does.
southernmdgeguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2005
- Messages
- 254
Wow, small world
Bought the unit at Wards-the one in Marlow Heights,Md ,about 14 years ago.
I know the place, last time I went there, I came out to the top level of the back parking lot and there was a body in the dumpster.. police everywhere, etc. Yikes...
A friend of mine got a great deal on a top of the line Signature brand microwave, he asked to buy the dented display model for like $50 bucks when the price for it was in the hundreds, he went down to the pick up area with his ticket, they loaded a nice new in the box unit for him..
Sorry to ramble on, it just surprised me to see someone on here that shopped where I did growing up.
Bought the unit at Wards-the one in Marlow Heights,Md ,about 14 years ago.
I know the place, last time I went there, I came out to the top level of the back parking lot and there was a body in the dumpster.. police everywhere, etc. Yikes...
A friend of mine got a great deal on a top of the line Signature brand microwave, he asked to buy the dented display model for like $50 bucks when the price for it was in the hundreds, he went down to the pick up area with his ticket, they loaded a nice new in the box unit for him..
Sorry to ramble on, it just surprised me to see someone on here that shopped where I did growing up.
Southermdgeguy:How long ago were you there?I was living in the "Marlow Towers" Apt house-right behind the Marlow Heights Shopping Center-Sad how it was going-was there from about 1987 to 1990.One night while coming home from work there was a dead body right in my apt house driveway!Then another night someone was shot in the leg in front of the building.Another night i had to "Lock &Load" becuase someone was trying to bash in my apt door-the sound of the 12Ga being racked sent him well on his way!!-So sad to see that neighborhood go-My mom lived there in the 60's and it WAS VERY NICE!Her hairdresser was in the center and I loved going to all the stores while her hair was being done.Those were the days!! I was so glad to move out of there-luckly a paid work job transfer got me out.
southernmdgeguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2005
- Messages
- 254
Tolivac
I left that area in the mid 80's but worked for a while at Sheehy Ford. I do remember shopping up there and at Iverson, my mom liked "casual corner" and Woodies, etc. I grew up going to Sears down on Alabama Ave. then we started to go to the one at Landover, at least that is still open. You are right, back in the day it was a nice area, but now has the highest crime rates in the state.
Scott
I left that area in the mid 80's but worked for a while at Sheehy Ford. I do remember shopping up there and at Iverson, my mom liked "casual corner" and Woodies, etc. I grew up going to Sears down on Alabama Ave. then we started to go to the one at Landover, at least that is still open. You are right, back in the day it was a nice area, but now has the highest crime rates in the state.
Scott
super32
Well-known member
rickr,
I have had my share of RR's. The last one did the same thing your complaining of. when you remove the top and right side you will see some brown foam. It will look kinda like weather stripping trailing around areas where the air is suppose to go. Mine had began to discentegrate and was falling out. It provides a seal so the air is driven thru the unit down the wave guide, catch the big plastic "fins" on the stirrer and make it turn. Please be carefull. Unplug when you have the unit open.
Scott
I have had my share of RR's. The last one did the same thing your complaining of. when you remove the top and right side you will see some brown foam. It will look kinda like weather stripping trailing around areas where the air is suppose to go. Mine had began to discentegrate and was falling out. It provides a seal so the air is driven thru the unit down the wave guide, catch the big plastic "fins" on the stirrer and make it turn. Please be carefull. Unplug when you have the unit open.
Scott
Petek: have noticed the same thing-microwaves are becoming less expensive than other machines-even some hi-end blenders cost more.Microwaves are priced to the point you could almost have one in every room in the home.I also miss the mechanical timers-granted they aren't as accurate as the electronic ones-and were easier to use.For the microwave "stirrer" would have to figure the oven is using air from the magnetron cooling blower or fan to turn it--and the Waveguide would make a good air duct as well.
The weatherstrip is falling apart in there....
So if I replace the weatherstrip this RR would work correctly?
I am going to Lowes Homecenter tomorrow after work. I can purchase weatherstrip,or a new MW. Please let me know.
Thanks,
Rick
So if I replace the weatherstrip this RR would work correctly?
I am going to Lowes Homecenter tomorrow after work. I can purchase weatherstrip,or a new MW. Please let me know.
Thanks,
Rick
super32
Well-known member
Should work
rickr
The discption your giving me of the problem sounds like what happen to mine. Mine would turn sometimes but very slow, other times not at all. As a result it did make for uneven cooking. It worked for me and I figured some weather stripping is cheap since you wont need much, worse case.
Scott
rickr
The discption your giving me of the problem sounds like what happen to mine. Mine would turn sometimes but very slow, other times not at all. As a result it did make for uneven cooking. It worked for me and I figured some weather stripping is cheap since you wont need much, worse case.
Scott
Marlow Heights
I drive by the Marlow Heights shopping center frequently when I'm in that area for service calls at the government complex up there. The area does look a little rough, but one thing I enjoy seeing is that neat Hecht's store that looks like a place out of time. A perfectly maintained relic of Mid-Century modern in un-retored glory!
The rest of the shopping center looks like it is just as old, but it's had a few face-lifts over the years. Still, the flagstone still shows through in a few places, and that neon sign over in the corner still looks neat too!
I drive by the Marlow Heights shopping center frequently when I'm in that area for service calls at the government complex up there. The area does look a little rough, but one thing I enjoy seeing is that neat Hecht's store that looks like a place out of time. A perfectly maintained relic of Mid-Century modern in un-retored glory!
The rest of the shopping center looks like it is just as old, but it's had a few face-lifts over the years. Still, the flagstone still shows through in a few places, and that neon sign over in the corner still looks neat too!
Weather Stripping
Hey Guys,
Per the Amana tech guides, they say the 'strips' are a special material that are designed specifically to keep in the radio waves on these units. I'm a bit fuzzy on the actual material it calls out on it, but I would assume it is some sort of carbon based coating on the flexible strips. I remember reading this as Cory and I were surprised about this, and I think it advised to replace with OEM strips. Weather stripping will probably not work (or be for safe use). I would be careful, or advise against using these machines if:
A) The original stripping is cracked, brittle, burnt or missing
B) The white plastic cap on the door is severely cracked or damaged
C) Broken glass
Rick, as much as Cory and I love these machines, I would advise you to possibly find another unit at this point. Any model from the RR4D-RR9TA would be a wonderful replacement for you.
Ben
Hey Guys,
Per the Amana tech guides, they say the 'strips' are a special material that are designed specifically to keep in the radio waves on these units. I'm a bit fuzzy on the actual material it calls out on it, but I would assume it is some sort of carbon based coating on the flexible strips. I remember reading this as Cory and I were surprised about this, and I think it advised to replace with OEM strips. Weather stripping will probably not work (or be for safe use). I would be careful, or advise against using these machines if:
A) The original stripping is cracked, brittle, burnt or missing
B) The white plastic cap on the door is severely cracked or damaged
C) Broken glass
Rick, as much as Cory and I love these machines, I would advise you to possibly find another unit at this point. Any model from the RR4D-RR9TA would be a wonderful replacement for you.
Ben
Oh, the brown fuzzy stuff....
Hey Scott,
I just saw yer post on the brown, fuzzy seal that they used for the blower cavity. The above message is for the door seal only, I read your post wrong. I do apologize if I over-alarmed anyone out there.
Ben
Hey Scott,
I just saw yer post on the brown, fuzzy seal that they used for the blower cavity. The above message is for the door seal only, I read your post wrong. I do apologize if I over-alarmed anyone out there.
Ben
What I went in for,and what I bought...
I was still undecided on what to do when I walked into Lowes Home Center today. However I was leaning toward buying a new MW. Therefore I grabbed a cart and went to the appliance section first. They had GE, Sharp,and a few other brands of MWs. I inspected them all,and they were all the same. Flimsy junk! If you opened the door of any of the MWs it felt like you could just rip it right off the hinges! The plastic on the touch controls looked cheap,and was all wavy,and you could lift the whole MW with one hand! I decided that right then and there that I did not need the shopping cart after all! There is NO WAY I would put that kind of crap in my house. Then made a trip over to the doors and windows area,and found foam weatherstrip in several sizes,plus cement that could be used to reseal the blower cavity to outside cabinet in my old Radarange. Cost $15.78 Even though I am pressed for time,I will work on this project tommorow,and hope that the stirrer will stir when the job is finished. If it does not,will look for another Radarange. If for some reason this unit would not be safe to use after this sort of repair,please let me know a.s.a.p.
Thanks to all!
Rickradarange
I was still undecided on what to do when I walked into Lowes Home Center today. However I was leaning toward buying a new MW. Therefore I grabbed a cart and went to the appliance section first. They had GE, Sharp,and a few other brands of MWs. I inspected them all,and they were all the same. Flimsy junk! If you opened the door of any of the MWs it felt like you could just rip it right off the hinges! The plastic on the touch controls looked cheap,and was all wavy,and you could lift the whole MW with one hand! I decided that right then and there that I did not need the shopping cart after all! There is NO WAY I would put that kind of crap in my house. Then made a trip over to the doors and windows area,and found foam weatherstrip in several sizes,plus cement that could be used to reseal the blower cavity to outside cabinet in my old Radarange. Cost $15.78 Even though I am pressed for time,I will work on this project tommorow,and hope that the stirrer will stir when the job is finished. If it does not,will look for another Radarange. If for some reason this unit would not be safe to use after this sort of repair,please let me know a.s.a.p.
Thanks to all!
Rickradarange
cybrvanr:Wow!-The Hechts is still there-amazing. Glad the sign is still there-served as a landmark-beacon for people finding my apt house at the time.They then knew where it was!!I think the shopping center was built in the early 60's.The names I have now heard for Marlow Heights---"Marlow Freights"-Temple Hells" instead of Temple Hill. Too bad the crime rate is high there.I also remember the Govt buildings there-The Census folks are there.Also the Smithsonian storage Annex that is there-Watched that being built.Was built in the late 70's.Some old Navy annex buildings were there-they were burnt down to provide "practice" for the Md PG County Fire Dept.I also remember a Film storage building there that was loaded with Nitrate films and x-ray films-the place caught fire-saw it burning-the flames were blowing thru the doorways and windows like a blowtorch!!Looked at it more cloesly after the fire was out-the windows,metal doors and frames were MELTED!!Was impressive-they did loose some important things though.Beleive it was part of the Dept of the Census.There was also a "Golf Ball" radar building there as well.Was behind the one that burned.That area is Suitland,Md.It was conveneint to my govt job downtown.I didn't have a car at that time and rode the buses,subway,and even taxicabs to get to work.Was nice.There is supposed to be a subway stop out thewre now.Wasn't there when I lived in that area.
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
Rick, that's one of the reasons I got my RR in the first place. We had an Admiral (Sharp) that was very nice, cooked well, was easy to program. I just couldn't stand the way the door sounded when it closed! When you shut the RR, it's like closing a bank vault. I defy any stray radiation to escape from that beast!
veg
veg
That whole area is not sort of starting to get revitalized a little bit. It doesn't seem to be quite as bad anymore as you previously described, but I can certainly see the scars from a worse time like abandoned buildings, those payday loan centers, and other signs of blight that are slowly dissapearing. Although I enjoy them, I sometimes notice prolific laundromats are frequently a sign of blighted neighborhoods (I guess because residents cannot afford washers)
A green-line metro rail station opened up over in Suitland MD right beside the government complex back in 2000, which I think kicked out the revitalization of the area. The metrorail system gave people that don't have cars access to jobs in downtown DC. The Navy has built an intelligence center there, and there's another building going up, which I have been told, is going to be a NOAA building. With all those new buildings, and the subsequent government jobs they will bring, they are hiring many of the people that live in the immedite vicinty. The old K-mart across from the Marlow heights shopping center that sat vacant for years is not being rebuilt as something else...can't figure it out, but it's going to have a tall roof section in the middle. many of the old abandoned service stations and stuff are being either torn down and replaced with new structures, or being re-opened as new businesses.
I think many people are moving into that area too simply because the home prices in Northern Virginia and other suburbs have become so out of reach. That area is still reasonable With the job growth in the Northern VA area, I am suprised any area around DC would ever get blighted...there's hope for that area yet!
A green-line metro rail station opened up over in Suitland MD right beside the government complex back in 2000, which I think kicked out the revitalization of the area. The metrorail system gave people that don't have cars access to jobs in downtown DC. The Navy has built an intelligence center there, and there's another building going up, which I have been told, is going to be a NOAA building. With all those new buildings, and the subsequent government jobs they will bring, they are hiring many of the people that live in the immedite vicinty. The old K-mart across from the Marlow heights shopping center that sat vacant for years is not being rebuilt as something else...can't figure it out, but it's going to have a tall roof section in the middle. many of the old abandoned service stations and stuff are being either torn down and replaced with new structures, or being re-opened as new businesses.
I think many people are moving into that area too simply because the home prices in Northern Virginia and other suburbs have become so out of reach. That area is still reasonable With the job growth in the Northern VA area, I am suprised any area around DC would ever get blighted...there's hope for that area yet!
turned the motha on....
And old "sparky" was back in town!! This time the RR was in the garage,so I just "let her R.I.P." (and moved away from the RR)
She smoked,she smelled,she sparked,the lights got dim,and dinner was done!
BTW the tray was in there,and the Pyrex glass was full of water also. What was wrong with this poor RR I do not know,however I do know that I will be shopping for another Radarange.
I saved the glass tray and the control panel,the rest of this RR made it the all the way to the alley this time.
And old "sparky" was back in town!! This time the RR was in the garage,so I just "let her R.I.P." (and moved away from the RR)
She smoked,she smelled,she sparked,the lights got dim,and dinner was done!
BTW the tray was in there,and the Pyrex glass was full of water also. What was wrong with this poor RR I do not know,however I do know that I will be shopping for another Radarange.
I saved the glass tray and the control panel,the rest of this RR made it the all the way to the alley this time.
Versatronic
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2005
- Messages
- 825
Too bad
I was hoping you could resecitate it. I had a radarange and it worked fine, but it was enormous. The inside cavity was no larger than one of today's smaller microwaves. This thing took up a large amount of space and I decided to give it away to a friend and replace it with a Sharp. Now I'm wishing I hadn't given it away. I asked my friend if he still had it, but he said "someone begged me out of it". My wasn't chromed out like yours appears to be/was. You're seems to be more attractive than the one I owned.
I was hoping you could resecitate it. I had a radarange and it worked fine, but it was enormous. The inside cavity was no larger than one of today's smaller microwaves. This thing took up a large amount of space and I decided to give it away to a friend and replace it with a Sharp. Now I'm wishing I hadn't given it away. I asked my friend if he still had it, but he said "someone begged me out of it". My wasn't chromed out like yours appears to be/was. You're seems to be more attractive than the one I owned.
frontaloadotmy
Well-known member
Dang!
Me 3
Me 3
super32
Well-known member
sorry
rickr
Sorry the RR didnt make it Mine was given to me after one of thoses episodes and then the power supply decided to burn. That is a show! I kept it for about 3yrs and got rid of it when I moved.
Scott
rickr
Sorry the RR didnt make it
Mine was given to me after one of thoses episodes and then the power supply decided to burn. That is a show! I kept it for about 3yrs and got rid of it when I moved.Scott
That's too bad Rick, but I'm glad you gave it your best. You also saved the two easy to grab parts too - which may prove useful in the future. Grabbing the interlock board would also have been a good idea, but not a necessity.
It shouldn't be hard to find a replacement, as I said earlier, a good RR4D-RR9TA would be a fantastic replacement, and are fairly easy to find. If they weren't so heavy, I'd be sending you my mint RR900 as a token gift!
Ben
It shouldn't be hard to find a replacement, as I said earlier, a good RR4D-RR9TA would be a fantastic replacement, and are fairly easy to find. If they weren't so heavy, I'd be sending you my mint RR900 as a token gift!
Ben
Hey Rick
Do you still have the plastic cover that installs at the top of the oven under the stirrer? I need one for my TouchMatic if you do.
Let me know Jet
Do you still have the plastic cover that installs at the top of the oven under the stirrer? I need one for my TouchMatic if you do.
Let me know Jet
dang as well...but they will show up, look at the flurry of them I had a few months ago and ended up with 3, still yet another one showed last week but it didn't appear to work as clean as it was, so I left it, had it been one I didn't have I might have taken it but they're just too heavy to cart around and store unless absolutely required.
mathemagical
New member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2005
- Messages
- 2
Commercial Radaranges
If you should be unable to find a suitable vintage Radarange, and again find yourself trawling the aisles of Sears and the Home Depot...at least take a look at some of the commercial models out there. Not the same, no, but descended from their sturdy ancestors.
http://amanacommercial.com
If you should be unable to find a suitable vintage Radarange, and again find yourself trawling the aisles of Sears and the Home Depot...at least take a look at some of the commercial models out there. Not the same, no, but descended from their sturdy ancestors.
http://amanacommercial.com
Cybrvnr:Thats interesting the K-Mart in that area shut down-when did it close-Remember using that store-was one of the larger ones in the area.did they move somewhere else in that area?How-bout the Hechingers store-they had a large one not too far from that K-Mart.Remembered it too-from the 60's.They even had Maganavox Hi-Fi consoles there!!Liked listening to them.that Greenline subway stop would have been handy for the times I lived there-You had to catch a bus or cab to another stop-.I lived in Northern VA the last time I lived and worked in DC-Was in the Manassas Va area-was very nice.But glad to be back in NC.The commute to the transmitter is a lot easier and more pleasent-a drive thru the country-have to dodge deer and bear though.
Similar threads
