Narrative:

PIC and sic noticed slight to moderate static noise levels in their respective headsets shortly after engine start. The noise in the pilot in command's headphones appeared to be more pronounced than that experienced by the co-pilot in his headphones. Minor troubleshooting of the squelch settings; the jack connections and volume levels revealed no change. The PIC and sic determined that the noise levels were workable and the discrepancy would be griped upon completion of the scheduled mission. The pilots launched on a VFR clearance and picked up an IFR clearance airborne with approach control. The clearance was from current position direct at an altitude of 6;500 ft. Enroute; noise levels elevated and reception weakened on both the pilot in command's and second in command's headphones. Headphone; intra-cockpit communications started to become a problem between the pilot flying and the pilot-not-flying; also. Just prior to entering the class B airspace associated with an international airport; noise levels and reception became untenable and the PIC elected to return to home base (the point of departure) as it appeared both pilots had lost communication with ground control agencies. A 180 degree turn was made and code 7600 was put into the transponder to let ATC know that we were having communication problems. Because the flight was in VMC conditions but on an IFR clearance; the PIC elected to descend the aircraft from 6;000 ft (aircraft was preceding westbound prior to the turn) to 5;500 ft and proceed back east to pint of departure while maintaining VMC. Both air crew continued to troubleshoot the communication while making radio calls in the blind. The remainder of the flight back to home base was conducted in VMC conditions monitoring various area radio frequencies; should suitable reception be recovered. Approximately 1 hour after initial takeoff; the flight landed back at home with no further incident. PIC's headphones and the aircraft jack assembly for both the pilot's and co-pilot's positions are being looked at and evaluated.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: BE200 flight crew experienced static in both headsets prior to takeoff that gradually worsens enroute until all communication systems were rendered unusable. Crew squawks 7600 and returned to their departure airport.

Narrative: PIC and SIC noticed slight to moderate static noise levels in their respective headsets shortly after engine start. The noise in the pilot in command's headphones appeared to be more pronounced than that experienced by the co-pilot in his headphones. Minor troubleshooting of the squelch settings; the jack connections and volume levels revealed no change. The PIC and SIC determined that the noise levels were workable and the discrepancy would be griped upon completion of the scheduled mission. The pilots launched on a VFR clearance and picked up an IFR clearance airborne with Approach Control. The clearance was from current position direct at an altitude of 6;500 FT. Enroute; noise levels elevated and reception weakened on both the pilot in command's and second in command's headphones. Headphone; intra-cockpit communications started to become a problem between the pilot flying and the pilot-not-flying; also. Just prior to entering the Class B airspace associated with an International Airport; noise levels and reception became untenable and the PIC elected to return to home base (the point of departure) as it appeared both pilots had lost communication with ground control agencies. A 180 degree turn was made and code 7600 was put into the transponder to let ATC know that we were having communication problems. Because the flight was in VMC conditions but on an IFR clearance; the PIC elected to descend the aircraft from 6;000 FT (aircraft was preceding westbound prior to the turn) to 5;500 FT and proceed back east to pint of departure while maintaining VMC. Both air crew continued to troubleshoot the communication while making radio calls in the blind. The remainder of the flight back to home base was conducted in VMC conditions monitoring various area radio frequencies; should suitable reception be recovered. Approximately 1 hour after initial takeoff; the flight landed back at home with no further incident. PIC's headphones and the aircraft jack assembly for both the pilot's and co-pilot's positions are being looked at and evaluated.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.