Be-35 pilot reported experiencing a communications radio failure resulting in diverting to a nearby ...

Attributes
ACN	1690359
Time
Date	201910
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Bonanza 35
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise Descent Landing
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	AC Generator/Alternator
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20 Flight Crew Total 567 Flight Crew Type 115
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

While enroute; I began to experience communication radio failure. It started as heavy persistent static; similar to having the squelch pulled out. It then changed into the microphone being stuck. While attempting to troubleshoot this problem; I noticed that my ELT was activated. I reset the ELT and it remained inactive. I then decided to change my squawk code to 7600. As I looked down to do this I noticed that my alternator was not charging. I attempted to address this by cycling the field switch and the alternator circuit breaker; which had not tripped. At this point; with multiple failures; I decided that it was unwise to continue on. The nearest airport to me was where I chose to land. I kept my squawk code of 7600 and descended to pattern altitude where I circled the tower; looking for light gun signals. None were seen. I scanned the approach ends of both runways for traffic and set up for a left downwind. I landed and taxied over to the FBO. Once inside; I called the tower to explain myself to them.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: BE-35 Pilot reported experiencing a communications radio failure resulting in diverting to a nearby airport.

Narrative: While enroute; I began to experience communication radio failure. It started as heavy persistent static; similar to having the squelch pulled out. It then changed into the microphone being stuck. While attempting to troubleshoot this problem; I noticed that my ELT was activated. I reset the ELT and it remained inactive. I then decided to change my squawk code to 7600. As I looked down to do this I noticed that my alternator was not charging. I attempted to address this by cycling the field switch and the alternator circuit breaker; which had not tripped. At this point; with multiple failures; I decided that it was unwise to continue on. The nearest airport to me was where I chose to land. I kept my squawk code of 7600 and descended to pattern altitude where I circled the tower; looking for light gun signals. None were seen. I scanned the approach ends of both runways for traffic and set up for a left downwind. I landed and taxied over to the FBO. Once inside; I called the Tower to explain myself to them.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Be-35 pilot reported experiencing a communications radio failure resulting in diverting to a nearby airport.