Abstract: To reduce the power consumption of a remote unit in a dispatch system the remote unit enters a dormant state. A base station transmits a forward link broadcast signal and monitors a common access channel. A first remote unit continually receives and decodes the forward link broadcast signal and determines whether said forward link broadcast signal comprises active signals. If the remote unit determines that the forward link broadcast signal comprises no active signals for some a duration T.sub.1, the first remote unit enters a dormant mode. In the dormant mode the remote unit sporadically receives and decodes said forward link broadcast signal. If this remote unit or any other remote unit on the same net presses a push to talk button, it transmits a message on the common access channel. In response, every remote unit on the net which is in a dormant state exits the dormant state and continually monitors the forward link broadcast signal.

Abstract: In a dispatch system, power of the forward link broadcast channel transmitted from a base station is controlled such that the power level is the minimum necessary and such that transmission of the forward link broadcast channel is terminated if no remote unit is located within the coverage area of the base station. In addition to transmitting a forward link broadcast signal, the base station monitors an access channel. A first remote unit in the base station coverage area receives and decodes the forward link broadcast signal. The first remote unit determines a signal quality of said forward link broadcast signal. If the signal quality is unacceptable, the remote unit transmits a power request access message. The base station responds to the request by increasing the transmission power of forward link broadcast channel. If no requests are received at the base station, the forward link broadcast channel is slowly decreased to a minimum.