Jet/Long Ranger/206
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75; Flight Crew Total 21000; Flight Crew Type 7000
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
General None Reported / Taken
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Equipment / Tooling
I made a call to ZZZ Tower approximately 6.5 miles southwest of the field; no answer. With the Tower appearing to be closed and the runway lights either off or extremely dim; I made a call in the blind for transition northeast bound. I made another call midfield at 1;500 FT. I called clear at 5 NM northeast. Next call was on my #2 radio to a Tower at a field located to the north. He advised me to call ZZZ Tower on the phone. I did; upon landing; and he asked me if I came across the airport. I said yes and made several calls with no response. He asked if I saw a red light gun signal from the Tower. I said no; I didn't. He said OK; no problem; I just have to log it; and there was no traffic at the field anyway so no problem.This was a Night Vision Goggle (NVG) flight and 'Red Lights' are seen as green; just like all the other lights on the ground. I advised ZZZ Tower I thought I may have a radio problem on the #1 radio and I would be coming back his way in about 45 minutes and would give him another call. If I received no response; I would avoid his airspace.  Upon my return flight I attempted to call ZZZ Tower on my #1 radio; no response. I switched to #2 radio to call and he answered loud and clear. I advised my Mechanic upon landing and he replaced the antenna on the #1 radio. Subsequent radio test proved the #1 radio to be operational again. I might suggest not using NVG's over Airports. As all lights are green through the NVG's and in the event of radio failure; light gun signals can not be seen.
After transiting through a Towered Airport's airspace at night; a BH206 pilot subsequently found that the radio in use was inoperative. Pilot noted that the red light gun signal used by the Tower would appear as green when using Night Vision Goggles (NVG).