Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 16.6
Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Human Factors; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Airspace Structure
I was in the process of relieving the R48 position. While waiting and monitoring frequency; current radar controller tried issuing Aircraft X direct Gemni; and a descent clearance to FL240 because of conflicting traffic at FL300; Aircraft Y. Controller tried with many attempts; both aircraft; and meanwhile; Appleton; I87 sector at ZID shouted to us that Aircraft X returned to their frequency. R48 controller said 'Nobody's listening to me on 119.87'; and hung up. I tried to break in and tell them to descend Aircraft X; however was not in override position. R48 controller tried to issue Aircraft Y descent clearance; but no response. Now aircraft are approaching 'Head on' situation; and no radio communication with either aircraft. I immediately unplugged from that jack; and plugged into D-side position and called I87 to see if they had Aircraft X on their frequency; they did not. R48 controller tried MANY times on guard frequency; with no response from anyone. At some point I heard the Aircraft Y call on guard frequency that they were responding to a TCAS alert; R48 tried to stop them over Guard and descend; however that is out of our jurisdiction. The aircraft must respond. With the help of the D47 sector; Aircraft X went back to I87 freq; and they requested them on their frequency. Meanwhile Aircraft X is responding to TCAS as well. After relieving R48; I immediately went to backup radios (BUEC); and other aircraft on 119.87 could hear me. The main was completely unusable. Eventually the sector regained normalcy; and we acquired a new frequency of 127.9. We've had many issues with this frequency; 119.87; as well as others in the area for a long period of time. They are checked twice a day; usually; however this has been and ongoing issue. A MAJOR issue. I've said this in the past that the only way the FAA will respond to our needs is a disaster. This by far was way too close to that situation. In my 26+ years of ATC; this by far is the scariest; gut wrenching situation I have seen; or been part of. Instead of calling us Controllers whiny babies; listen to us when we have major issues. Don't take them in stride. Too many other issues throughout the Agency get higher treatment. It needs to stop.First; I would have told I87 sector to take Aircraft X down to FL280 since they had radio communication. If not; our first avenue is go to standby; then to BUEC if necessary. I wouldn't have gone directly to guard frequency first.
ZOB Controller lost their main radio transmitters. The Controller was working two aircraft head on at the same altitude. Both aircraft responded to TCAS/RA alerts.