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A few more specifics on the set up might be good. Is the radio internal to the g1000 or separate radio? Is there an audio panel or not?
I fought thru a similar partial NORDO unable to transmit but could hear. I used ident to tower in similar manner as described.
“Just a software issue” what a travesty!
Why can’t the FAA make available the phone number contacts to a staffed 24hr ATC phone contact (let’s call it 1-800-LOS-TCOM) who could route you to a controller and get help or at least prep the down line controllers for what your situation is. 7700/7600 is ok but we’re in the 21st Century and we can do better.
Great idea – IF – cellular coverage extends to the altitude the aircraft is operating. I seldom have cell coverage. Also, assuming the pilot knows where he/she is, he/she can use the phone number that’s in the AFD or in Foreflight for a nearby airport’s TRACON clearance delivery number.
However, I’ve not had consistent connectivity on my phone once I’m over about 1000′ AGL.
I was surprised to hear no mention of trying the other COM radio. They may well have done that. In general, pilots facing communication failure should try their backups: second radio, handheld radio, satellite phone, transponder, cellular phone, Internet data (such as email), and text messages. They had just used the Clearance Delivery phone number to reach ATC and could readily have tried it airborne.
I would question the decision not to follow the manufacturer’s emergency checklist, particularly since with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, it seems likely that power-cycling would have resolved the problem.
Squawking 7600 (communication failure) rather than 7700 (general emergency) would be a possible improvement in technique for using the transponder to signal ATC. Thanks for sharing the situation and some of the lessons learned; I’m glad there was a safe outcome.