RR - I guess I'll kick in another comment (aside from being double qualified for QCWA). The aircraft pilots are pilots first and radio operators second. With SelCall I am not sure they listen to the radio enough to get "The Ear" that helps drag stuff out of noise.
On the other paw, ACARS is digital. It would have a pretty good chance of getting through mere static. And I note, everybody who seems to be wx aware of that particular evening and location suggests there was little or no lightning involved in the storm system. So "What QRN?"