Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I had just taken a number of sectors combined. I began to receive a handoff from Approach on a B1900. I had good RADAR on the track and; via automated means; took RADAR contact on the B1900. The B1900 checked on climbing to 12;000; requesting FL200. They also stated that they were 'when able' direct [the] VOR. I assumed that meant they were on a vector until able to receive [the VOR]; although I had not been given that information from Approach. I then climbed the B1900 to FL200. Shortly thereafter (within 1 minute); I lost RADAR on the B1900 and noticed that I had completely lost both beacon and search capabilities of the TAD RADAR. I notified the supervisor of the problem. My concern was that the B1900 was now on a heading; until receiving [the] VOR; non-RADAR; climbing into high terrain with MIA's (Minimum IFR Altitudes) as high as 16;300 MSL. I had no way of knowing if their climb rate would suffice to top the MIA's; given that I had completely lost the RADAR site. I asked the B1900 for their altitude leaving; radial and DME off of [another] VOR. They stated that they were about on the [other VOR] 180 radial at 7 miles leaving 11;800 MSL. Given that information; I knew they were still well clear of the mountainous terrain; but also knew that I needed to get them established on a [victor airway] (which was about 5 NM east of their position; in an area of lower MIA's). I knew I had to make a decision quickly; given that they were non-RADAR; not on good non-RADAR routing; and also flying towards high terrain. I did not think of using a non-RADAR arc at the time; I just knew I had to get them moving eastbound; away from the mountains; toward the victor airway. As they were leaving about 12;000 MSL; I assigned the B1900 a vector (non-RADAR; which I know is wrong) knowing that this vector would keep them above MIA's and move them away from high terrain; while also joining them to a victor airway. The B1900 was then assigned to join [the victor airway] to [the] VOR at 17;000 MSL. I should have thought to use a DME arc in this case. Once I receive a DME from [the other VOR]; I could have had the B1900 intercept an arc to join [the victor airway].
ZDV Controller described an unsafe event when issuing a 'vector' in a non-RADAR environment; the reporter acknowedging his unfamilarity with non-RADAR procedures.