Date: 201602
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZOB.ARTCC, OH
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Medium Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZOB
ATC / advisory: Center ZOB
Second aircraft: Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Enroute
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Contributing factors: Human Factors; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Airspace Structure
Primary problem: ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings

Narrative: I was in the process of relieving the R48 position. While waiting and monitoring frequency; current radar controller tried issuing Aircraft X direct Gemni; and a descent clearance to FL240 because of conflicting traffic at FL300; Aircraft Y. Controller tried with many attempts; both aircraft; and meanwhile; Appleton; I87 sector at ZID shouted to us that Aircraft X returned to their frequency. R48 controller said 'Nobody's listening to me on 119.87'; and hung up. I tried to break in and tell them to descend Aircraft X; however was not in override position. R48 controller tried to issue Aircraft Y descent clearance; but no response. Now aircraft are approaching 'Head on' situation; and no radio communication with either aircraft. I immediately unplugged from that jack; and plugged into D-side position and called I87 to see if they had Aircraft X on their frequency; they did not. R48 controller tried MANY times on guard frequency; with no response from anyone. At some point I heard the Aircraft Y call on guard frequency that they were responding to a TCAS alert; R48 tried to stop them over Guard and descend; however that is out of our jurisdiction. The aircraft must respond. With the help of the D47 sector; Aircraft X went back to I87 freq; and they requested them on their frequency. Meanwhile Aircraft X is responding to TCAS as well. After relieving R48; I immediately went to backup radios (BUEC); and other aircraft on 119.87 could hear me. The main was completely unusable. Eventually the sector regained normalcy; and we acquired a new frequency of 127.9. We've had many issues with this frequency; 119.87; as well as others in the area for a long period of time. They are checked twice a day; usually; however this has been and ongoing issue. A MAJOR issue. I've said this in the past that the only way the FAA will respond to our needs is a disaster. This by far was way too close to that situation. In my 26+ years of ATC; this by far is the scariest; gut wrenching situation I have seen; or been part of. Instead of calling us Controllers whiny babies; listen to us when we have major issues. Don't take them in stride. Too many other issues throughout the Agency get higher treatment. It needs to stop.First; I would have told I87 sector to take Aircraft X down to FL280 since they had radio communication. If not; our first avenue is go to standby; then to BUEC if necessary. I wouldn't have gone directly to guard frequency first.




Synopsis: ZOB Controller lost their main radio transmitters. The Controller was working two aircraft head on at the same altitude. Both aircraft responded to TCAS/RA alerts.