An MD80 experienced a landing gear problem and lost their weather radar; forcing a diversion with the landing gear extended.

Narrative

Retracted gear after takeoff. After retraction all gear showed up; doors closed; but considerable buffeting from around nose gear area accompanied by burning rubber smell. We lowered gear and got 3 down with doors closed. We then retracted gear and buffeting returned with a red nosewheel light. We lowered the gear again; and got 3 down and doors closed. I declared an emergency; however a TRW had moved over the field by that time and the weather radar quit. We held as I contacted Dispatch. The Dispatcher and I decided to gear down divert. We climbed to 15000 and proceeded to our divert airportwith ARTCC's assistance avoiding storms. We landed with ARFF standing by. We stopped on the runway and had ARFF check us out. No problems noted so we taxed clear of the runway to proceed to the gate. Tower and Ground had a radio failure so we stopped short of crossing the off duty runway and tried to contact Ground various ways. ARFF called Tower on a cell phone and relayed permission for us to taxi to the gate.