Medium Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 8100; Flight Crew Type 700
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
On IFR cross-country ferry flight from ZZZ to ZZZ1; we were level at FL390 and ZZZ Center switched us to XYY.ZA crossing into State X. We checked on to the frequency; but heard no response. We decided to wait and check-in again in the event there was a Controller switch or other delay. We mistakenly waited too long to make contact with ARTCC via charted frequency or guard frequency; because several minutes later we realized we hadn't been called or heard other aircraft. Quiet ARTCC frequencies have become more prevalent during the COVID-19 travel restrictions and low air traffic volume.  We attempted contact one more time on XYY.ZA and got no response; so then we looked up the ZZZ Center frequency for our location on the IFR chart and immediately reestablished contact with ZZZ Center. No unusual comments from the Controller.  Flight was uneventful from that point.We may have been transferred to an incorrect frequency; as both pilots remembered hearing XYY.ZA. I don't think we were monitoring XBX.A; as our VHF radio does not have a specific guard monitoring feature. We were monitoring BCY.Z on our UHF radio. We should have been more timely in establishing contact with previous center sector or charted frequency once our initial call was unanswered.  No traffic conflicts were reported by ATC; and no questions or queries about the event by any ATC facility.
Pilot reported that after checking in on Center frequency; no response was received for some time. The pilot delayed locating an alternative frequency due to the quiet frequencies that have become prevalent during COVID-19 reduction in air traffic volume.