Radio static is a common sound effect based on the crackle and hiss heard from untuned radios and weak analog transmissions. It has been used for decades in film, television, games, and online videos to signal interference, surveillance, or a broken connection. Short clips like this became especially popular in meme editing because they communicate disruption instantly without needing context. It still shows up in modern content whenever creators want a lo-fi transition, a corrupted signal gag, or a quick tech-failure moment.