The time profiles of the solar microwave emission exhibit various phenomona reflecting the evolution of magnetic flux tubes before and during the onset of flare events. Different scenarios are posslble to describe the processes of energy release in a flux tube and the interaction of a number of tubes during the preflare stage and the early flare development, Multi-peak structures at quite
different time scales displayed by flux records at mm-, cm-, and dm-waves are examined; they rise the question how to distinguish between repeated energy release at one site and the propagation of the flare disturbances over an extended source area, A discussion of observed time scales and released energy in the frame of some scenarios is carried out.
Based on observations of the extraordinary behind-limb flare on February 16, 1984 the radio-flux time profiles at different
dm-wavelengths and dynamic spectrum corresponding
to a source height z > 200000 km above the photosphere are
compared with hard X-ray observations reported by Kane et al.
(1987). The nature of the dm-emission and implications on the
flare process are discussed. Dependíng on the emission
process estimations of relevant plasma parameters (electron
density, magnetic field) are given.