Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 2; Flight Crew Total 4500; Flight Crew Type 120
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
I was flying in cruise and realized the radio had been quiet for too long. I tried to talk to Center; it may have been Fort Worth center at the time; I have forgotten which; but received no answer. I noticed my volts were not where they should have been. The volts were slowly decreasing and the amp meter read discharging. I assumed the volts were not powerful enough for me to transmit radio so I started trying multiple frequencies and trouble shooting. It was a beautiful flying day so as long as I didn't smell burning I wasn't concerned with the electrical enough for me to drastically change my current situation with nearby unfamiliar fields and inability to speak to anyone. I knew I could trouble shoot and be on the ground at an unpolished airport in 30 minutes; only slightly longer than any other quicker choice may have presented; but with more confidence in my plan and less time spent researching nearer options. Once I discovered the problem I descended to lowest safe altitude and landed without incident. I called [Flight Service] and told them that I had lost contact while under flight following with Center. The problem and issue were resolved and I continued on the next day.
C172 pilot reported loss of communications due to possible alternator failure.