Narrative:

Returned from break; all positions advised they lost frequencies and unable to transmit or receive to aircraft. Cpdlc/data comm testing was in progress. Sector 14 was combined with sector 54; no d-side. I asked if R-14 needed any help; 'yes!' was the emphatic reply; however; when I plugged into help from the d-side; the coordination lines were unusable. R-side advised vtabs in use. I have never been trained with the use of vtabs [voice switching and control system training and backup switch] (not that I recall); nor do I know what that is (along with anyone else trained in the building after 2007). I was unable to assist R-14; who was now desperate as [three carriers] were all converging at FL310 without communications. I moved to de-combine sector 54 from sector 14. I was unable to open the position appropriately with 'vtabs'; I still don't know what that is. R14 was able to subsequently coordinate with ZME M27 to descend aircraft X prior to confliction. ZME later reported they had lost their frequencies as well. This was an unsafe situation on several fronts. Don't combine high and low altitude sector(s). Staff d-sides. Train personnel on the use of vtabs; and practice loss of frequencies in training. Discontinue cpdlc/data comm testing until adequate staffing and frequencies return. We were lucky this time!

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Kansas City Center Controller reported losing radios during CPDLC testing and having an airborne conflict between three aircraft.

Narrative: Returned from break; all positions advised they lost frequencies and unable to transmit or receive to aircraft. CPDLC/DATA COMM Testing was in progress. Sector 14 was combined with sector 54; no D-side. I asked if R-14 needed any help; 'YES!' was the emphatic reply; however; when I plugged into help from the D-side; the coordination lines were unusable. R-side advised VTABS in use. I have never been trained with the use of VTABS [Voice Switching and Control System Training and Backup Switch] (not that I recall); nor do I know what that is (along with anyone else trained in the building after 2007). I was unable to assist R-14; who was now desperate as [three carriers] were all converging at FL310 without communications. I moved to de-combine sector 54 from sector 14. I was unable to open the position appropriately with 'VTABS'; I still don't know what that is. R14 was able to subsequently coordinate with ZME M27 to descend Aircraft X prior to confliction. ZME later reported they had lost their frequencies as well. This was an unsafe situation on several fronts. Don't combine High and Low Altitude sector(s). Staff D-sides. Train personnel on the use of VTABS; and practice loss of frequencies in training. Discontinue CPDLC/DATA COMM Testing until adequate staffing and frequencies return. We were lucky this time!

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.