PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8; Flight Crew Total 31; Flight Crew Type 25
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
I departed with a planned cruising altitude of 7;500 feet. All comms worked perfectly during initial take off and all instruments worked perfect during my run-up check. As I left ZZZ airspace; I was handed off to Approach; established two-way contact; and continued to climb to 7;500 feet (with an altitude restriction of 7;000 from Approach; which they removed shortly after and I continued to climb to 7;500). As I passed to the west of ZZZ1 my radio became crackly and I couldn't hear Approach easily. I tried unplugging my headset to clear away any dirt and plugging it back in but it didn't seem to reduce the crackling noise. At this point; I tried to contact Approach again as I heard a request for me; but couldn't make it out so I asked for a read back. At this point I realized Approach couldn't hear me. Shortly after this; the entire Garmin panel and radio went dead and I lost all communication; I was just north of ZZZ1 at 7;500 [feet]. The radio and Garmin both began to reboot and I could hear Approach for a brief moment but they couldn't hear me; and shortly after this the Radio and Garmin went dead again and didn't turn back on. At this point I decided to turn back to ZZZ. Upon turning back towards ZZZ I Squawked 7600 to inform ATC that my radio had failed. I flew my way back to ZZZ; descending to pattern altitude and made right traffic for Runway XX. I confirmed a green light from the Tower to ensure it was safe for me to land and proceeded to follow the traffic pattern and land safely down on Runway XX.
PA-28 pilot reported a radio communication failure led to a return to the departure airport where light gun signals were received for landing clearance.