Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 113; Flight Crew Total 9388; Flight Crew Type 105
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
We had a very difficult time communicating on our HF radios during our Hawaii crossing. Not only was it frustrating but very distracting. Being new to the aircraft it got me thinking what it would have been like to communicate anything in an emergency situation in the middle of the Pacific. The radios worked but we just spent a lot of time changing frequencies and trying to hear what OAK and HNL Radio was trying to say. The frustrating part is the technology is out there in CPDLC and we don't have it. Just hope we never have a major problem in this airplane out over the pacific.
Prior to DUSAC unable to transmit or receive on HF for position report. [Another airliner] was able to share our position with Honolulu. We were able to eventually establish contact using VHF at DRAYK. Unable to respond to SELCAL.
Air carrier flight crew reported the inability to transmit or receive via HF communications during an oceanic crossing.