Narrative:

Approaching the slmon fix on the KOHOE3 arrival ATC had descended us to FL340. As we approached our FMS generated descent point; we began to experience rapidly growing static over comm 1 frequency 120.57 (den center). We both recognized it as most likely p-static (precipitation static) due to the nearby convective activity to the south of our position. After just a few minutes the static became almost continuous with no ATC or other aircraft communications audible over the static. As we were approaching our descent point I made several radio calls to den center with no response heard over the static. Also made several calls in the blind to other aircraft on comm 1 [and] comm 2 as well as freq 121.5 with no response. By this time; we had passed our descent point by some distance [and] were high on the profile for the KOHOE3 arrival. A decision was made to begin a descent without a clearance from den center due to our lack of communication. TCAS was checked for possible conflict with none observed; code 7600 was set [and] a blind broadcast was made indicating our descent. Descending through about FL250 static resolved with normal communication established with den center. Descent continued with ATC clearance; new frequency assigned followed by a normal approach [and] landing. A follow-up phone call was made to dispatch to clarify the event [and] answer any questions. A phone call was also made to den center to clarify any questions [and] to determine if we had incurred any traffic conflict in our NORDO condition and/or descent. They indicated there was no conflict as traffic was cleared beneath us once our 7600 squawk was received [and] our descent anticipated by center.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reported their radios became unusable due to P-static and elected to begin the descent into DEN per NORDO procedures. Communication improved descending through FL 250.

Narrative: Approaching the SLMON fix on the KOHOE3 arrival ATC had descended us to FL340. As we approached our FMS generated descent point; we began to experience rapidly growing static over Comm 1 frequency 120.57 (DEN center). We both recognized it as most likely P-static (Precipitation Static) due to the nearby convective activity to the south of our position. After just a few minutes the static became almost continuous with no ATC or other aircraft communications audible over the static. As we were approaching our descent point I made several radio calls to DEN center with no response heard over the static. Also made several calls in the blind to other aircraft on Comm 1 [and] Comm 2 as well as freq 121.5 with no response. By this time; we had passed our descent point by some distance [and] were high on the profile for the KOHOE3 arrival. A decision was made to begin a descent without a clearance from DEN center due to our lack of communication. TCAS was checked for possible conflict with none observed; code 7600 was set [and] a blind broadcast was made indicating our descent. Descending through about FL250 static resolved with normal communication established with DEN center. Descent continued with ATC clearance; new frequency assigned followed by a normal approach [and] landing. A follow-up phone call was made to dispatch to clarify the event [and] answer any questions. A phone call was also made to DEN center to clarify any questions [and] to determine if we had incurred any traffic conflict in our NORDO condition and/or descent. They indicated there was no conflict as traffic was cleared beneath us once our 7600 squawk was received [and] our descent anticipated by center.

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.