RPTR LOST AIR TO GND COM DUE TO STUCK MIKE.

Narrative

TKOF FROM RWY 22R EWR NORMAL . CLRNC OF 310 DEG HDG AND 10000 FT RECEIVED FROM DEP. APCHING BWZ STILL AT 10000 FT -- REALIZED TOO QUIET TOO LONG. AFTER A BRIEF BUT INTENSE FLURRY OF FREQ CHANGES -- BROADCASTS -- HEADSETS; MIKES; JACKS BEING SWAPPED AND RESET I PRONOUNCED US IN A NO COM SIT. ALTHOUGH FAR 91.185 STATES IF FAILURE OCCURS IN VFR CONDITIONS (WHICH IT WAS) PROCEED TO NEAREST PRACTICAL ARPT. I ELECTED TO APPLY IFR PROCS DEEMING IT THE SAFEST AND LOGICAL COURSE OF ACTION GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCE. SQUAWKED 7600. PROCEEDED TO PARKE (FIRST FIX). INITIATED CLB TO FL350. CONTINUED TROUBLESHOOTING AND FOUND STUCK MIKE SWITCH IN FO CTL COLUMN TO BE CULPRIT. RE- ESTABLISHED COM WITH ZNY. REMAINDER OF FLT UNEVENTFUL. AN APPARENTLY SIMPLE PROB BUT ON WHICH GEOMETRICALLY INCREASED IN PROPORTION TO TIME. ASSUMING THE WORST AND OVERLOOKING THE OBVIOUS LED TO A TRYING AND COMPLICATED SIT. NEVERTHELESS; POSITIVE COCKPIT RESOURCE MGMNT AND A THOROUGH; METHODIC PLAN LED TO A SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION TO THE SIT.