Medium Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 98; Flight Crew Total 11000; Flight Crew Type 5600
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Environment - Non Weather Related
Received vectors from Boston as Providence Tower was closed. Cleared to descend to 2600 FT for vectors to final Runway 23 at Providence (PVD). On reaching 2600 FT we lost communication with [Boston Center]. First Officer was flying. We were visual with the airport so he entered a left base for a visual approach. I tried to contact approach on all the frequencies on the approach plate also transmitting our position on Unicom and transmitting blind on 121.5. I directed the First Officer to try transmitting on his radios and he was unable to receive either. Landed and taxied in. On reaching the ramp; we were able to receive Center again. Our Flight Mechanic tested all the radios and they appeared to be working. I tested the radios with the Airport operator and they were satisfactory. Called Boston Center and advised them of our inability to receive them and cancelled the IFR flight plan. The Controller stated that sometimes they encountered areas around PVD where they lost communications. The approach Controller had descended us quite early to 2600 FT; I believe the low altitude contributed to bad reception. We later took off from PVD and had difficulty receiving Boston until we climbed above 4000 FT.
Captain experiences lost communications during late night approach and landing at PVD with the Tower closed.  During the following departure Boston Center advises that his frequency coverage is spotty at low altitude around PVD.