B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 368; Flight Crew Type 644
Distraction; Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Aircraft
On the ANCAR II Arrival to DEN while in the vicinity of FFFAT intersection on 124.95; the Captain and I had noticed the frequency became very quiet. I checked with ATC on 124.95 to make sure we were still on the correct frequency and did not receive a response. I tried once again with no response. Captain tried and did not receive a response either. We switched to a different Approach frequency of 120.8 and the new Controller told us 'no problem; turn left heading 170 degrees; descend to 10;000 FT and slow to 210 KTS.' After telling him that we lost communications with the previous Controller; the new Controller on 120.8 told us to switch back to 124.95. We switched back to our previous frequency and told the Controller we lost him. He told us that they had been trying to get in touch with us. Not sure if we had a brief interference with our radio; were in a cone of silence with terrain or if there was some other incident with our radio. Nevertheless; radio communication was lost only briefly and no conflicts occurred. While only brief; it was odd to have no communication whatsoever. There needs to be a check on the WiFi system to see if any interference could be coming from that system. There are numerous occurrences of static interference over the radio during no precipitation conditions. I have heard of other crews loosing communications briefly as well.
The reporter stated that his company's WiFi has been interfering with VHF communications by producing static. Sometimes changing from COM 1 to COM 2 will lessen the interference; other times not. In this case; he was not certain that WiFi was responsible; but both pilots thought it odd the manner in which the frequency dropped off. He said he and the Captain talked about the event for the next two days and were highly suspicious about the cause. In their minds; there was a slight possibility that ATC was responsible for the communication lapse; but given previous WiFi problems; the crew suspects internal interference.
A B737-700 lost communication with DEN TRACON on the ANCHR 2 Arrival and suspected internal WiFi interference after communication was re-established.