A300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft; Weather; Human Factors
Enroute we asked to deviate for Weather (WX). We were IMC and deviating; when our radios had a lot of static interference. It became very difficult to understand what center was instructing us to do. At the same time; we got a WX/ANT annunciator on our Navigation Display and our WX radar went blank. We switched to system 2 and after less than a minute; we got the same WX/ANT annunciator. I switched between the two systems in order to get some type of radar return. We were unable to get vectors from centers as we were unable to hear them. We encountered moderate turbulence on the heading we were on; so we took a heading which we thought would get us out of the weather we were encountering. We were finally able to reach another [company] aircraft; on frequency; and they were able to relay ATC instructions to us.
In the Weather and during cruise the static on the radios became so strong we were unable to hear Center on either radio. Soon after both radars became inoperative; indicating a WX ANT alert. Each radar would appear to operate normal for about 30 seconds and then display the WX ANT warning. When the radars were working they seemed to be giving false information; showing storms that were not there and not showing some that obviously were. We were not sure what we were flying into and could not talk to Center to get help. At that point we decided to turn around and fly out of the weather and back to [the departure airport]. We began to squawk NO COMM as we made our turn. While in the turn [a company aircraft] contacted us and began to relay for Center. With his help (he was 10 miles ahead of us) we were able to get below the weather and make contact with Approach and continue to the airport.The event was cause by multiple system malfunctions (Radar and Radios). Upgrade to better radios and maintenance of radios and static wicks (possibly). Upgrade and Maintenance of radar systems.
A300 flight crew reported a loss of communication radios and weather radar due to precipitation static during cruise.