Dual mode communication device and method

A communication device comprising:

• a user interface;
• a primary transceiver contained within a first housing and configured for radio communication with a primary communication system, the primary transceiver including a primary controller for controlling the primary transceiver;
• a secondary transceiver contained within a second housing and configured for radio communication with a secondary communication system and including a secondary controller, the second housing being detachably coupled to the first housing, the user interface being coupled to the secondary controller;
• and
• a communication bus detachably coupled between the primary controller and the secondary controller for communicating data.

A method for operating a dual mode communication device, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first radio contained in a first housing and operable according to a first mode, a second radio contained in a second housing and detachably coupled to the first radio and operable according to a second mode, and a user interface for controlling both the second radio and the first radio;
• detecting a power on actuation at the second radio;
• if operation of the second radio is not desired, emulating a power on actuation of the first radio by the second radio;
• and
• initiating communication on a first communication system using the first radio.