I think this is a well worn question, but my digging isn't getting an
answer for my specific scenario(s).
Aircraft does NOT have a WAAS GPS. It could have an older IFR
certified (just not Sole Navigation) GPS.

1. File Airways/VORs (within 40/25 mile service radius). Upon
departure, request & get Direct my destination that's 200 miles away.
I lose radios. What route do I fly?

2. File Direct to my destination that's 200 miles away. I get that for
my clearance. I depart. I lose radios. Same question.

91.185 says,
" (a) General. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each pilot who has
two-way radio communications failure when operating under IFR shall
comply with the rules of this section. (b) VFR conditions. If the
failure occurs in VFR conditions, or if VFR conditions are encountered
after the failure, each pilot shall continue the flight under VFR and
land as soon as practicable.
(c) IFR conditions. If the failure occurs in IFR conditions, or if
paragraph (b) of this section cannot be complied
with, each pilot shall continue the flight according to the
following:
(1) Route.
(i) By the route assigned in the last ATC clearance received;
(ii) If being radar vectored, by the direct route from the
point of radio failure to the fix, route, or airway specified in the
vector clearance;
(iii) In the absence of an assigned route, by the route that
ATC has advised may be expected in a further clearance; or
(iv) In the absence of an assigned route or a route that ATC
has advised may be expected in a further clearance, by the route filed
in the flight plan.
(2) Altitude.............."


(c)(1)(i) makes it sound like I just keep mowing on to my 200 mile
away destination. If I have no GPS *at all*, I'm pretty much dead-
reckoning my way to get close enough to the closest VOR at my
destination. A handheld would make that more accurate.

If that's not correct, then under scenario #2, (c)(1)(iv) wouldn't
help, since my "filed" route was a big 200 mile Direct.

With radios, if radar goes down, ATC should scoot me over onto
airways, or leapfrog VORs within 80 (or 65 or 50) miles of each other.
I have had that happen to me. Lost of radios, doesn't necessarily mean
loss of radar, but it does mean I cannot *hear* anymore correcting
vectors.

Thanks for filling me with knowledge....! :-)