Switch-to-talk functionality for multivoice two-way radios

A method for operating a first radio, the method comprising:

• operating the first radio in a first mode, wherein operating the first radio in the first mode comprises:
• operating the first radio in a time-division multiplexed radio system;
• receiving wireless communication directly from a second radio during a first transmission slot of a plurality of transmission slots, wherein a segment of time is subdivided into the plurality of transmission slots as part of the time-division multiplexed radio system;
• receiving wireless communication directly from a third radio during a second transmission slot of the plurality of transmission slots;
• and
• the first radio not being assigned to a transmission slot of the plurality of transmission slots for transmitting audio communication, even though the first radio is operable and there is an un-assigned transmission slot of the plurality of transmission slots, wherein the first radio does not transmit audio communication;
• operating the first radio in a second mode, wherein operating the first radio in the second mode comprises:
• operating the first radio in the time-division multiplexed radio system;
• receiving wireless communication directly from the second radio during the first transmission slot,
• receiving wireless communication directly from the third radio during the second transmission slot, and
• the first radio being assigned to a third transmission slot of the plurality of transmission slots for transmitting audio communication;
• and
• receiving an indication from a switch activated by a user of the first radio to switch from operating in the first mode to operating in the second mode or from operating in the second mode to operating in the first mode.

A radio comprising:

• a receiver, wherein:
• the receiver is configured to receive, directly, wireless communication from a second radio and a third radio using a time-division multiple access protocol;
• the second radio transmits to the receiver during a first transmission slot of a plurality of transmission slots, wherein the plurality of transmission slots is used to implement the time-division multiple access protocol between the first radio, the second radio, and the third radio;
• the third radio transmits to the receiver during a second transmission slot of the plurality of transmission slots, and
• the plurality of transmission slots are subdivisions of a segment of time;
• a transmitter for transmitting wireless communication;
• circuitry configured to operate the radio in at least two modes, a first mode and a second mode, wherein:
• the radio operating in the first mode is not assigned to a transmission slot of the plurality of transmission slots for transmitting audio communication, even though the radio is operable and there is an un-assigned transmission slot of the plurality of transmission slots, and
• the radio operating in the second mode is assigned to a third transmission slot of the plurality of transmission slots for transmitting audio communication;
• and.
• a switch that allows a user of the radio to select operating the radio in the first mode or the second mode.