Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 22000
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
During descent on the arrival into ZZZ; ZZZ1 Center gave us a telephone number to call for ZZZ Center. We had been with Center. When we first checked on; they had asked us to try to contact another flight on 121.5; which we did successfully. We were on the frequency for quite a long time; and the reception sounded good. I am certain that we did not miss multiple calls from center; if our radio was receiving them properly. However; at one point; I noticed that the ACARS had gone into SATCOM mode; which happens with the loss of ARINC VHF coverage; so we may have been in a dead area for a period of time. When I noticed the ACARS do this; we attempted to contact Center by voice. The controller answered and asked us to standby; but was busy and never called us back. We then received an ACARS message to contact ATC on the same frequency we had been on for some time. I did call the number provided; hoping that it would be a productive discussion concerning possible frequency coverage issues. This was indeed the case; as the supervisor I spoke with seemed genuinely concerned about a potential problem. He said that Center had tried to contact us several times. I explained our side of the story; as outlined above. I would like to add that I have; on several occasions; brought up the potential safety issue with the practice of ATC issuing a phone number to pilots to call. Some pilots could easily become distressed; causing a degradation of performance during critical phases of flight. There must be a better way to handle these situations.This is not the first time I have heard of communication problems with ZZZ Center and other ARTCCs in remote areas. Aircraft equipped with automatic VHF Comm squelch; may cut out a weak ATC signal without the knowledge of the crew. Domestic use of CPDLC would surely help; and this aircraft was so equipped.
1. Reduce the absurd amount of radio congestion. It has become nearly non-stop chatter over the past years.2. If an aircraft is on the wrong frequency; perhaps a timelier advisory (via ACARS or other avenue) would be more appropriate and useful.3. The larger question: why are we still using 1940's vintage technology to communicate in 2015?
Air carrier flight crew reported losing communication with ARTCC. The reporter stated they were on the appropriate frequency the entire time; but may have been in an area of limited radio coverage.