Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 1300; Flight Crew Type 1100
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
Before departing; a local A&P cleaned off the alternator which resolved an electrical generating problem. The alternator was generating power; but instead of continuing on to our original destination; I decided to return to [home airport]; so the plane's normal A&P can take off the alternator and decide if further maintenance was required. During the flight; the generator failed again; or there was a different issue with the radios. I tried calling the Tower using both the hand-held radio and the plane's own radio; neither worked. I squawked 7600; entered the airspace; flew over the field and entered a left downwind for landing.
A C172 pilot reported losing contact with the Tower; either because of radio or electrical system malfunctions. He squawked 7600 and landed.