{"id":62300,"date":"2025-03-04T07:10:54","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T11:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=62300"},"modified":"2025-03-04T07:10:54","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T11:10:54","slug":"blackout-in-chile-a-reminder-of-radios-role-when-all-else-fails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/blackout-in-chile-a-reminder-of-radios-role-when-all-else-fails\/","title":{"rendered":"Blackout in Chile: A Reminder of Radio\u2019s Role When All Else Fails"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Many thanks to SWling Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who writes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Good morning, Thomas. I just translated this article from Chilean radio station “Canal 95”, published on February 26. Original in Spanish here: https:\/\/www.canal95.cl\/magazine\/apagon-redes-sociales-rinden-tributo-radio-pila<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

After the blackout, social media pays tribute to battery-operated radios<\/a><\/h1>\n

Social media users highlighted the importance of battery-operated radios as the only reliable source of information in emergencies, while critics pointed to the fragility of the current system.<\/p>\n

After a large blackout left much of Chile without electricity last Tuesday, millions of people were affected and left without communication. All due the fact that the telecommunications and internet antennas service completely collapsed.<\/p>\n

In this scenario, and in the absence of real-time information, social media users began to highlight the importance of having battery-powered radios to access news in emergencies such as, for example, the decision to declare a curfew.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill we have to go back to copper wire telephones? Cell phones ‘died’ in the emergency. Explanations are useless in the face of a serious incident. Earthquake, tsunami, flood, or power outage like yesterday. Totally incommunicado. Only the battery-operated radio worked ,\u201d remarked the renowned journalist and radio personality, Sergio Campos.<\/p>\n

Many also recalled that this device has been key during earthquakes and other disasters in the country, although there was no shortage of jokes.<\/p>\n

“Serious question: does everyone really have a battery-operated radio?” asked one user of the X platform. “It’s always good to have one. My mother-in-law has one and it’s super old, but it works. And the radio too,” joked comedian Luis Slimming.<\/p>\n

Although some users admitted not having a functional radio at home, implying that they had not previously considered it necessary due to the outdated technology, other users reinforced the importance of having one of these reliable devices that allow them to stay in touch.<\/p>\n

The work of radio stations that continued to operate during the emergency was also highlighted. There was no shortage of criticism of telephone companies and the widespread use of smartphones that do not have integrated FM radio.<\/p>\n

“I want to give a round of applause to Chilean radio stations. We would still be going around in circles if it weren’t for the fact that they continued to broadcast and report on what was happening. Every Chilean home should have a battery-operated radio ,” wrote @satoruswft .<\/p>\n

It remains to be noted that Chile has historically faced natural events that disrupt basic services, but the current dependence on the Internet and cell phones has created a gap in preparation for blackouts.<\/p>\n

So, keep this in mind: a battery-powered radio is still a must-have in an emergency.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWling Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who writes: Good morning, Thomas. I just translated this article from Chilean radio station “Canal 95”, published on February 26. Original in Spanish here: https:\/\/www.canal95.cl\/magazine\/apagon-redes-sociales-rinden-tributo-radio-pila After the blackout, social media pays tribute to battery-operated radios Social media users highlighted the importance of battery-operated radios as the only […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[373,3781,3],"tags":[8043,4500,102],"class_list":["post-62300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-fm","category-news","tag-carlos-latuff","tag-emergency-preparedness","tag-why-radio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-gcQ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":62732,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/blackout-in-europe-portable-radios-deliver-news-ree-falls-silent-during-outage\/","url_meta":{"origin":62300,"position":0},"title":"Blackout in Europe: Portable Radios Deliver News \u2014 REE Falls Silent During Outage","author":"Thomas","date":"April 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Today, parts of Spain, Portugal, and France experienced widespread power outages, knocking out electricity, internet, and mobile networks for hours. One BBC article captured a personal account of how radio became a vital lifeline. SWLing Post contributor Bal\u00e1zs Kov\u00e1cs shared this note from the BBC Live Update: Meanwhile, a friend\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FM"","block_context":{"text":"FM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/fm\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sony-SW100-Barcelona-Black-Out.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sony-SW100-Barcelona-Black-Out.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sony-SW100-Barcelona-Black-Out.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sony-SW100-Barcelona-Black-Out.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sony-SW100-Barcelona-Black-Out.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sony-SW100-Barcelona-Black-Out.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62736,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/europe-blackout-carlos-illustrated-radio-listening-report-and-numerous-posts-praising-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":62300,"position":1},"title":"Europe Blackout: Carlos\u2019 Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Numerous Posts Praising Radio","author":"Thomas","date":"April 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor and noted political cartoonist,\u00a0Carlos Latuff, who shares\u00a0illustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio La Red broadcast. Carlos notes: Massive blackout in Spain, Radio La Red, Argentina, 910 kHz AM: Part of Radio La Red news bulletin (In Spanish) about the massive blackout in Spain. Listened\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Latuff-Radio-Lared-Europe-Blackout-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Latuff-Radio-Lared-Europe-Blackout-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Latuff-Radio-Lared-Europe-Blackout-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Latuff-Radio-Lared-Europe-Blackout-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Latuff-Radio-Lared-Europe-Blackout-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62218,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/02\/carlos-illustrated-radio-listening-report-and-recording-of-radio-2-february-25-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":62300,"position":2},"title":"Carlos\u2019 Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radio 2 (February 25, 2025)","author":"Thomas","date":"February 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor and noted political cartoonist,\u00a0Carlos Latuff, who shares\u00a0illustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio 2 broadcast. Carlos notes: Part of Radio 2 news bulletin in Spanish about the massive blackout in Chile. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a Sony ICR-N20 receiver. https:\/\/youtu.be\/gM3JVufU2xg?si=I2-sH76yncyMctz2 Click here to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art"","block_context":{"text":"Art","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/art-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Latuff-Radio-2-1-1-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Latuff-Radio-2-1-1-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Latuff-Radio-2-1-1-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Latuff-Radio-2-1-1-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Latuff-Radio-2-1-1-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62742,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/carlos-illustrated-radio-listening-report-and-recording-of-radio-nacional-de-espana-april-29-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":62300,"position":3},"title":"Carlos\u2019 Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radio Nacional de Espa\u00f1a (April 29, 2025)","author":"Thomas","date":"April 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor and noted political cartoonist,\u00a0Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a special Radio Nacional de Espa\u00f1a broadcast. Note that the Spanish version of this post follows the English version: This illustrated radio listening report was particularly special to me. It's a radio\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art"","block_context":{"text":"Art","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/art-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Latuff-Radio-Nacional-de-Espana-Blackout-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Latuff-Radio-Nacional-de-Espana-Blackout-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Latuff-Radio-Nacional-de-Espana-Blackout-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Latuff-Radio-Nacional-de-Espana-Blackout-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Latuff-Radio-Nacional-de-Espana-Blackout-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":51777,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/02\/carlos-buys-a-vintage-wahda-transistor-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":62300,"position":4},"title":"Carlos buys a vintage Wahda transistor radio","author":"Thomas","date":"February 5, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who writes: Hey Thomas, check this radio set I just bought. Portable, MW only, working with 4 AA batteries. It's working perfectly. This piece was made in Japan, I don't know the year, but the curious thing is the Arabic name on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Wahda-radio-Carlos-Latuff-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Wahda-radio-Carlos-Latuff-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Wahda-radio-Carlos-Latuff-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Wahda-radio-Carlos-Latuff-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Wahda-radio-Carlos-Latuff-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45069,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/carlos-spots-a-solid-state-shortwave-portable-in-death-wish-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":62300,"position":5},"title":"Carlos spots a solid state shortwave portable in “Death Wish 2”","author":"Thomas","date":"September 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who shares these screen shots from \"Death Wish 2\" (1982). Carlos is curious if anyone is familiar with or recognizes this brand of radio: Do you think this radio a fabricated stage prop, or a real model?\u00a0 Please comment! 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