Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 30000; Flight Crew Type 65
Troubleshooting; Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Flight Crew Returned To Gate
Human Factors; Procedure; Aircraft
After receiving ATIS I taxied aircraft on ramp area to hold short line on the ramp side near XY taxiway short of X taxiway. I made repeated calls to Ground Control on both primary and secondary radio and received a response that said they were receiving carrier only. We could hear all ATC voice traffic. We received no instructions or inquiries from Ground Control. We cycled radios changed frequencies all to no avail. We still remained receive only; no transmit out. I was now faced with a problem on what to do. We were not in a position where we could execute a 180 degree to return to the ramp. Approximately 5 minutes had now elapsed from my first attempt to contact ground. There was now an airplane approaching our position on taxiway X that wanted to exit there. Ground Control informed the approaching plane that we were blocking the taxiway and they were not talking to us. Still no attempt to contact us directly. At this time there was a second plane taxiing to exit at the same taxiway we were blocking. I had few choices. We again checked Tower for any light signals and did not see any. My options were to continue to remain where I was. This seemed fruitless as I was blocking the access to the ramp and this would not facilitate my return to the ramp. I could shut down the engine but that still leave me blocking the ramp and the taxiway unable to move. As I had been monitoring Ground frequency I was aware of all aircraft taxiing in or near my position. I visually cleared all taxiways and runway exits that would be any factor to me. All these areas were clear. The only airplane near me was the one approaching on X taxiway wishing to exit to the ramp at the exit I was on. Since Ground Control was unable to realize I could not transmit and was receiving only; and in lieu of any light signals or alternate instructions from Ground I had to make a decision. I thought the best course of action based on my options was to clear the ramp entrance and return to the ramp. The only way I could do this was to cross the taxiway hold line separating the ramp from X taxiway. After again confirming there were no planes except the one wanting to use the exit I was blocking I proceeded on to X taxiway clear enough of the ramp exit to allow the plane to exit and then exited back to the ramp. I would point out considering my position on the airport and Ground Control acknowledging the were receiving a carrier only; the approaching traffic wanting to use the exit I was blocking and a third plan inbound to the same exit; there could have been a more positive attempt by Ground to use alternate means to communicate with and assist a plane with an obvious problem. Asking if the plane in my position had radio problems; was in distress or needed assistance would have gone a long way in assisting me at a trying time. A simple call to see if I needed assistance request to ident if I was having radio problems; a light signal from Tower to return to ramp and or instructions in the blind would have been very helpful to me and would have allowed a return to the ramp without my having to make my own decision as to the best course of action without any assistance from ATC.
Experimental aircraft pilot reported a radio transmit issue resulted in an unannounced exit from the taxiway area.