Abstract: An improved user interface is provided by a portable radio (100) having a housing (102) having a through-hole (110) formed therethough. The through-hole provides a user interface for accommodating a plurality of interchangeable accessories through the incorporation of electrical interface (114) and alignment features (116) within the through-hole.

Abstract: An improved user interface is provided for a front control panel (104) of a vehicular mobile radio (100) operating in a public safety environment. A multifunction control indicator is formed of a mode indicator light ring (126) co-located about a perimeter of a multifunction control knob (124). The multifunction control knob (124) controls two or more radio functions, such as volume and channel change. The mode indicator light ring (126) generates different lighting configurations in response to the multifunction control knob (124) being pressed to change radio functions. Numerous radio functions can be monitored and controlled via the multifunction control knob (124) and mode indicator light ring (126).

Abstract: A portable communication device includes a status indictor in the form of a single multicolor generating LED. The single LED indicates radio channel and battery status. The LED is responsive to a menu button press to indicate a current channel by color. Channel change is indicated by changing to another color. The LED is also responsive to a power button on the portable communication device to generate predetermined colors associated with battery status. The use of a single LED eliminates the need for knobs or a display as part of the status indicator of the portable communication device.

Abstract: A user wearable accessory provides push-to-tall (PTT), microphone and adjustable electrical cord length features in a single device. First and second adjustable electrical cords couple a portable communication device to an earpiece. The accessory is formed of front and back housing portions coupled together to provide a spooling feature therebetween. The spooling feature accommodates the two electrical cords such that a user is able to wrap each cord to provide an overall desired length. Users of different heights can adjust the cord length as desired thereby minimizing tangling of the cords.

Abstract: A user wearable accessory provides push-to-tall (PTT), microphone and adjustable electrical cord length features in a single device. First and second adjustable electrical cords couple a portable communication device to an earpiece. The accessory is formed of front and back housing portions coupled together to provide a spooling feature therebetween. The spooling feature accommodates the two electrical cords such that a user is able to wrap each cord to provide an overall desired length. Users of different heights can adjust the cord length as desired thereby minimizing tangling of the cords.

Abstract: A portable communication device includes a status indictor in the form of a single multicolor generating LED. The single LED indicates radio channel and battery status. The LED is responsive to a menu button press to indicate a current channel by color. Channel change is indicated by changing to another color. The LED is also responsive to a power button on the portable communication device to generate predetermined colors associated with battery status. The use of a single LED eliminates the need for knobs or a display as part of the status indicator of the portable communication device.