Abstract: A unique method and apparatus for efficiently assigning duplex radio channels and scanning duplex radio channels assigned to mobile and portable radiotelephones in a cellular communications system is described. Each cell includes a base station radio having a signalling channel and a plurality of voice channels, and a base site controller adapted to utilize the methods embodying the present invention for controlling communications paths to mobile and portable radiotelephones. The base station radios include a signalling transceiver operable on the signalling channel, a plurality of voice transceivers each operable on a voice channel, and a scanning receiver for sampling the signal strength of active radiotelephones. Transmitters of signalling transceivers and voice transceivers are combined and coupled to an omnidirectional antenna; and the receivers of the signalling transceiver, voice transceivers and scanning receiver are couplable to one or more of six sector antennas.