Abstract: An apparatus and method for recharging a rechargeable battery in a hand-held transceiver while maintaining communications capability through the transceiver. The battery charger is housed in a charging unit to which the transceiver can be removably attached. A dual-mode charging circuit generates a first voltage during transmit mode and a second, higher voltage during receive mode, and includes a DC-DC converter for generating the second voltage. The charger includes a push-to-talk (PTT) switch and mode control circuitry for simultaneously controlling the operating modes of the charger and transceiver, and additionally includes a separate microphone, speaker, and audio and RF amplifiers for providing greater RF power and audio power while the transceiver battery is being recharged.