Method for indicating a delinquent response to a message from a selective call device

A two-way selective call device comprising:

• at least one switch for constructing a user message including at least one identifiable character;
• an address book for designating at least one destination device;
• a selector for selecting a destination address of the at least one destination device to receive the user message;
• a transmitter for transmitting the user message to the destination address;
• a timer for measuring a first predetermined time;
• a processor coupled to a receiver for monitoring received messages during the first predetermined time to determine if a recipient message is received;
• and
• an output device for indicating when the recipient message from the at least one destination device was not received within the first predetermined time.

In a portable wireless device, a method of determining when a recipient response to a user message is delinquent, comprising the steps of:

• generating a user message;
• identifying at least one destination device;
• selecting the at least one destination device to receive the user message;
• designating the user message as requiring a recipient response;
• transmitting the user message to the at least one destination device;
• setting a dine period during which the recipient response to the user message is to be received;
• monitoring messages being received during the time period;
• and
• indicating when the recipient response to the user message was not received within the time period from the at least one destination device.