B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 12411; Flight Crew Type 7245
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Weather
Approaching the SLMON fix on the KOHOE3 arrival ATC had descended us to FL340. As we approached our FMS generated descent point; we began to experience rapidly growing static over Comm 1 frequency 120.57 (DEN center). We both recognized it as most likely P-static (Precipitation Static) due to the nearby convective activity to the south of our position. After just a few minutes the static became almost continuous with no ATC or other aircraft communications audible over the static. As we were approaching our descent point I made several radio calls to DEN center with no response heard over the static. Also made several calls in the blind to other aircraft on Comm 1 [and] Comm 2 as well as freq 121.5 with no response. By this time; we had passed our descent point by some distance [and] were high on the profile for the KOHOE3 arrival. A decision was made to begin a descent without a clearance from DEN center due to our lack of communication. TCAS was checked for possible conflict with none observed; code 7600 was set [and] a blind broadcast was made indicating our descent. Descending through about FL250 static resolved with normal communication established with DEN center. Descent continued with ATC clearance; new frequency assigned followed by a normal approach [and] landing. A follow-up phone call was made to dispatch to clarify the event [and] answer any questions. A phone call was also made to DEN center to clarify any questions [and] to determine if we had incurred any traffic conflict in our NORDO condition and/or descent. They indicated there was no conflict as traffic was cleared beneath us once our 7600 squawk was received [and] our descent anticipated by center.
With no communication possible with ATC and with the aircraft getting increasingly higher on the descent path; the situation was quickly discussed between the Captain and First Officer and the decision was made to initiate descent via the published arrival altitudes and follow the published Lost Comms procedure on the KOHOE arrival.
B737 flight crew reported their radios became unusable due to P-static and elected to begin the descent into DEN per NORDO procedures. Communication improved descending through FL 250.