Air taxi flight crew reported losing radio communications with ATC between the fixes SAGGY and CHIEZ and noted this was a reoccurring problem.
Synopsis
Air taxi flight crew reported losing radio communications with ATC between the fixes SAGGY and CHIEZ and noted this was a reoccurring problem.
Narrative
Loss of communications with ATC enroute from ZZZ to HPN. Approximately between intersections SAGGY and CHIEZ at FL290 we were contacted by Washington Center to contact them. On first contact with Washington they mentioned Jacksonville Center was attempting to reach us. No further conversation with ATC was conducted. We proceeded without incident.Prior to departure we briefed the large weather system and the possibility of route diversion may be needed around the weather. The flight conditions were turbulent at altitudes FL310 and above so we decided to maintain FL290. On the handover between two Jacksonville controllers we attempted to reach the new controller several times before making initial contact. This has happened on previous flights in the same area. Maybe the convective activity and lower altitude contributed to the communication issue. Once we approached the coast communications were clear once again. Maybe we can note the frequencies and handover locations when flying this route out over the water. If we do not have any contact with ATC after a specified time shorter than the time ATC would contact us at least we can be proactive in contacting them on the frequency we know they use in that area.
Second reporter narrative
As we transmitted east of the military warning areas off the coast; we lost radio communications with ATC at FL290 between the SAGGY and CHIEZ fixes. Since we did not receive a frequency switch; we were unaware of the lost communications. We received a call from Washington Center directing us to contact them and an email from our Operations team directing us to contact Jacksonville Center. We contacted Washington Center before entering their airspace and continued the flight without incident. A large weather system was moving east off the coast. We were passing east of this system when we lost communications. Due to reported turbulence along our route of flight; we chose to cruise at FL290. We had to call Jacksonville Center multiple times on a previous check in. We have had issues communicating with ATC in this area on previous flights. ATC has acknowledged this limitation and given us expected frequencies and points to switch in the past.It is likely we were in a radio blind spot; leading to lost communications. We debriefed the incident; talking about the importance of monitoring 121.5 throughout the flight; especially during over water legs. In the future; we will conduct radio checks with ATC if we have not heard them transmit for more than 10 minutes in this area. We will also ensure we have a frequency for ATC before transiting Center boundaries.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.