PA23 aztec returned to aqw when communication problems developed.

Attributes
ACN	349730
Time
Date	199610
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : ctr
State Reference	MA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 7000 msl bound upper : 7000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : alb tracon : bdl
Operator	general aviation : corporate
Make Model Name	PA-23-250 Aztec
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	climbout : intermediate altitude cruise other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : atp pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 40 flight time total : 3300 flight time type : 50
ASRS Report	349730
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Aircraft
Air Traffic Incident	other

Narrative:

At about 4000 ft, I tried to establish radio contact with alb approach on 125.00 (an IFR clearance was already picked up via phone, at the aqw airport). After several attempts, alb approach answered, but advised me of very bad garbled radios. I switched over to communication #2 and still had problems, also switching headsets to the copilot side, made no difference. Approach asked me to confirm transmission by pressing identify and I complied with the request a few times. After alb sent me over to bradley approach, I was unable to make contact with them. I decided to go back to 125.00 (alb approach). Again, I was not able to send a transmission to alb. At that point I decided to squawk 7600, start my descent and return to aqw. Alb talked to me several times and requested to confirm their transmission, by pressing identify. After landing, I contacted alb by phone, canceled my IFR and explained what happened. At all times VFR flight rules have been maintained and no other problem or conflict was encountered.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA23 AZTEC RETURNED TO AQW WHEN COM PROBS DEVELOPED.

Narrative: AT ABOUT 4000 FT, I TRIED TO ESTABLISH RADIO CONTACT WITH ALB APCH ON 125.00 (AN IFR CLRNC WAS ALREADY PICKED UP VIA PHONE, AT THE AQW ARPT). AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, ALB APCH ANSWERED, BUT ADVISED ME OF VERY BAD GARBLED RADIOS. I SWITCHED OVER TO COM #2 AND STILL HAD PROBS, ALSO SWITCHING HEADSETS TO THE COPLT SIDE, MADE NO DIFFERENCE. APCH ASKED ME TO CONFIRM XMISSION BY PRESSING IDENT AND I COMPLIED WITH THE REQUEST A FEW TIMES. AFTER ALB SENT ME OVER TO BRADLEY APCH, I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THEM. I DECIDED TO GO BACK TO 125.00 (ALB APCH). AGAIN, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEND A XMISSION TO ALB. AT THAT POINT I DECIDED TO SQUAWK 7600, START MY DSCNT AND RETURN TO AQW. ALB TALKED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND REQUESTED TO CONFIRM THEIR XMISSION, BY PRESSING IDENT. AFTER LNDG, I CONTACTED ALB BY PHONE, CANCELED MY IFR AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. AT ALL TIMES VFR FLT RULES HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED AND NO OTHER PROB OR CONFLICT WAS ENCOUNTERED.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.