Air carrier captain reported the difficulty using HF communication and the need for satcom during an...

Narrative:

This [report] is being filed to document the ongoing challenges that using [HF radio] presents on [certain] routes. If the aircraft X had to use an HF phone patch for all their critical communications; the [report] committee used it for weekly meetings; or the [company communications system] relied on HF phone patch for daily conference calls; it would certainly demonstrate the need for satcom on [certain] flights. Safety is suppose to be our number one concern and caring is number two. On aircraft X; a 12 year old was experiencing pain and nausea and his mother needed medical guidance on proper dosage of medication being provided. It took over 47 minutes via several dropped calls and poor connections with dispatch and medlink to get this information. Fortunately this was not a life or death situation; but certainly highlighted the major weakness the [HF radio] system presents. A [satillite] phone call could have achieved this quickly and clearly. There is nothing safe or caring about [HF radio] as a primary communication system vs. Satcom; yet this [report] will likely be brushed away as it is a money issue which aircraft X seems to be focused on. None of us would want our family members in need of critical medical care or pilots in need of critical information to depend on [HF radio].

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier Captain reported the difficulty using HF communication and the need for SATCOM during an ill passenger event.

Narrative: This [report] is being filed to document the ongoing challenges that using [HF Radio] presents on [certain] routes. If the Aircraft X had to use an HF phone patch for all their critical communications; the [report] committee used it for weekly meetings; or the [Company Communications System] relied on HF phone patch for daily conference calls; it would certainly demonstrate the need for SATCOM on [certain] flights. Safety is suppose to be our number one concern and caring is number two. On Aircraft X; a 12 year old was experiencing pain and nausea and his mother needed medical guidance on proper dosage of medication being provided. It took over 47 minutes via several dropped calls and poor connections with Dispatch and Medlink to get this information. Fortunately this was not a life or death situation; but certainly highlighted the major weakness the [HF Radio] system presents. A [Satillite] Phone call could have achieved this quickly and clearly. There is nothing safe or caring about [HF Radio] as a primary communication system vs. SATCOM; yet this [report] will likely be brushed away as it is a money issue which Aircraft X seems to be focused on. None of us would want our family members in need of critical medical care or pilots in need of critical information to depend on [HF Radio].

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1714037
Time
Date	201912
Place
Locale Reference	KZAK.ARTCC
State Reference	HI
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	HF SSB
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150 Flight Crew Total 2048 Flight Crew Type 2048
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness

Air carrier captain reported the difficulty using HF communication and the need for satcom during an ill passenger event.