When the Northeast plunged into darkness on the evening of November 9, 1965, radio stations in the affected areas faced a crucial test, with their reputations as reliable crisis news sources on the line. It was a challenging ordeal, but stations that succeeded did so largely because their engineers were prepared.
New York City was particularly impacted, with widespread outages affecting countless people and stations for hours. During this crisis, stations encountered a range of obstacles: some had power only at their transmitter, others lost power at both their studios and transmitters, some lost studio-to-transmitter links (STL), and others faced remote control issues. Every station went dark briefly, but within a minute, signals began to return, and within an hour, most stations that could operate had resumed broadcasting.
WCBS: Prepared for the Unexpected
WCBS exemplified readiness. Its studios, located on the 16th floor of a high-rise, were equipped with auxiliary diesel generators that automatically powered critical operations, including studios, newsrooms, and essential equipment. The transmitter had a backup diesel generator that switched to a 10-kW auxiliary transmitter and, soon after, a 175-kW generator powered the main 50-kW transmitter. Engineers quickly checked the STL phone line and, finding it operational, transferred control to programming staff. WCBS remained on auxiliary power until late the following evening, ensuring it did not strain the power grid as service gradually returned.
WABC: Quick Action Amidst Setbacks
WABC faced a fifteen-minute blackout as its emergency generator powered up. Engineers found the STL line down but discovered the business phone to the transmitter was operational. They reconfigured connections, allowing the station to return to air and provide news coverage.
WINS: Prioritizing Continuous News
WINS, New York’s all-news station, had power at its transmitter site in New Jersey but lost studio power briefly. Engineers played a prerecorded tape until communication was restored, and by connecting battery-powered amplifiers to the STL line, they could transmit reports. This setup allowed reporters in the field to avoid returning to the studio and ensured steady news updates throughout the night.
WOR: Overcoming Power Failures and Logistics
WOR’s situation was complex, with its transmitter located in an unaffected area and studios in Manhattan. Initial attempts to power the studio generator failed, but engineers improvised, using DC intercom lines and connecting a battery-powered remote-broadcast amplifier. The staff worked by candlelight and flashlights, later supplemented by a New Jersey businessman who donated gas for their generator.
WNEW: Smooth Recovery with On-Site Personnel
WNEW had maintenance engineers at the transmitter site when the blackout occurred. Although the remote-control system failed, engineers quickly restored the carrier and operated a turntable to keep the station on air. Fortunately, their STL line held, allowing for a relatively swift return to normal programming.
WMCA: Rapid Transition to Emergency Operations
As lights dimmed and equipment slowed, WMCA staff quickly transferred to backup power, maintaining the broadcast without interruptions. Engineers shifted to a standby studio powered by an inverter, running turntables and minimal lighting to conserve energy. The station operated on emergency power for 12 hours, with the team relying on listener-delivered refreshments and telephoned news reports.
The Great Blackout of 1965 tested the resilience and adaptability of radio engineers and staff. Thanks to the foresight and quick thinking of these teams, radio remained a vital communication lifeline, demonstrating the irreplaceable role of radio in times of crisis.