Portable radio system for dual programmable push-to-talk buttons and method for the same

Abstract

A portable radio system including dual programmable push-to-talk (PTT) switches is disclosed. One embodiment includes the PTT switches positioned so as to permit ambidextrous operation of the portable radio. Another embodiment allows a user to program the PTT switches to execute different functional tasks.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handheld radio for bidirectional field communication, comprising:
 a housing;   a half-duplex transceiver arranged in the housing and configured to transmit and receive signals in a communication channel over a radio network; and   a first push-to-talk (PTT) switch and a second PTT switch each independently configured to switch between a voice reception mode and a voice transmission mode, wherein the first PTT switch is located on a left side of the housing and the second PTT switch is located on a right side of the housing, and wherein the first and second PTT switches are independently operable to actuate the transmission of radio signals in the communication channel via the half-duplex transceiver.