Re: Early 1970's Radar Range

On Feb 10, 2:24 pm, "Homer J Simpson" <nob...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"James Sweet" <jamessw...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

news:P2ozh.1226$4_5.901@xxxxxxxxxxx

What safety features? As far as I know, they had all the same interlocks
as modern ovens. Microwaves have not changed much in the last 30 years
other than cost reductions. Those old Amana microwaves are classic, built
like tanks and last forever. Wish I had one myself.

Ever checked one for leakage? ISTR they claimed to cook a chicken in 15
minutes or less. Not while I'm in the same room!

Amana wasn't the only manufacturer to build its microwaves solidly
and to last. I have a Sharp Carousel digital microwave I bought new
seven years ago. Still works very well in daily use, although I think
the door switches are either very dirty or starting to go bad--the
oven will sometimes shut off before the end of a timed cycle. Opening
and closing the door several times gets it going again.

BTW, I had relatives (now deceased) who owned a digital version of
the Amana Radarange (they must have bought it in the mid-1970s). I
don't think they had even one repair done on it in the 20-some years
they had it.

Microwaves have changed in the last thirty years, but the changes
have been minor, mostly to the control circuitry (most micros these
days have at least one microprocessor which runs the whole thing). The
old Amana Radaranges didn't have the instant-action keys most of
today's digital micros sport (my Sharp has nine such buttons on its
touch control panel), not to mention dedicated popcorn, beverage
reheat, minute plus, etc. Those mid-seventies Amanas with digital
controls had circuitry that was state-of-the-art at that time, but
which would be considered horribly outdated and obsolete.

BTW (2) : Microwaves with spring-wound dial timers can be had for
almost ridiculously low prices these days. For someone who rarely
uses a microwave oven, these are good, I guess, but for anyone who
puts their oven to daily use, I'd suggest getting a digital model with
touch controls. These aren't terribly expensive anymore (just a bit
more than the analog ovens) and will last longer. The dial timer will
eventually wear out in any of today's analog micros; in fact, it
wouldn't surprise me if the magnetron outlasts the timer in these
cheapies.

Jeff Strieble, WB8NHV (email addy not shown to deter spammers)
Fairport Harbor, Ohio USA

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