Murphy's Law, It Can Happen to Anyone

First time poster, long time reader.

I'm currently a student with just a hair over 21 hours. Last week I was endorsed for local solo flights between a few airports; this is an accomplishment that has left me absolutely overjoyed, but at the same time a bit terrified as the weight of responsibility really starts hitting home. Not terrified in a bad way, mind you, just one that leaves me hyper aware of what the hell I'm actually doing.

Yesterday we finally had a nice clear, calm, day up in New England. The vast majority of my training has been done in absolutely awful weather... last Thursday I went up at 10kts gusting 20 with about 60 degrees of crosswind which was not the worst I've seen. I had planned this flight last week and was just overjoyed that the weather would be nice for my to run solo outside of the pattern for the first time.

Start up, taxi, run up, everything looks good. One issue I noted is that I heard a lot of garbage on the radio when I was halfway down the taxiway... I figured this was just someone with an open radio as I've heard it happen before and thought nothing of it. Smooth takeoff, instruments all green, plane lifts off the ground effortlessly; it was shaping up to be a nice afternoon. My goal was to head out to the practice area and practice some steep turns, power off stalls, and then run some pattern work at another airport.

Ten minutes into the flight I tune into Boston to get my advisories. After listening for a half a minute or so the radio noise that I experienced on the ground happened again. After it stopped this time I muttered "that was odd" and immediately noticed I didn't hear myself. A few more "test test test" nothing. Keyed up a radio check, no response... shit. I tried troubleshooting the issue... comm 1, comm 2, right seat plugs, and then told myself "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate".

Sitrep. I can hear, but I cannot speak (take the blue pill, Neo). The only person I've spoken with is the tower controller. There isn't much traffic in my area (that I can see on FF), but it's a busy corridor and a beautiful day. Let's turn around and go home. At this point my little bit of training kicks in and I come up with a plan. It took me a few minutes to determine what I needed to squawk (I correctly chose 7600... never forget that one again!), punched it in, and headed home.

As I got in range of the field I dropped to 1500 AGL and did one right 360 just outside of the pattern. Gave the tower a couple clicks of the mic, he confirmed he could not hear me, I confirmed I could hear him. Remainder of the flight was pretty uneventful, other than not being able to speak.

I learned a few valuable lessons. Never assume It can't happen to you... it will. Fly the plane first and continue keeping your eyes out the window. Know your damn squawk codes (seriously). Own the plane, even at 21 hours I was still PIC and it was my decision what needed to be done. Get a backup comm radio... one is already on the way for me.

I was bummed that I didn't get to do my airwork, but I think I ended up with one of the most valuable lessons in my training yet.

https://plan.foreflight.com/s/track/1496870800-1B1C403E-7713-4A13-9E3C-4BA89B0AD3A4/

TL;DR
Student leaves the pattern for the first time solo. Returns 10 minutes later squawking 7600 with a broken intercom.