Abstract: A method of sending (321) a service utilization message in a communication system (100) includes the steps of forming (303 through 317) a service utilization message and sending (321) the service utilization message via a service port (109). The service utilization message includes a header, a service controller packet, and a service manager packet. The header includes a block source field (201), a block destination field (203), a block length field (205), and a block command type field (207). The service controller packet includes a block opcode field (209) and a controller packet (211). The service manager packet includes a manager packet (213) and a block sequence number field (215). The service utilization messages assist with call billing and call logging for communication systems (100). A service utilization linking message is similarly formed (503 through 517) and sent (521).

Abstract: A method of handling an event by a plurality of consoles includes the steps of receiving an event (519) at a communication system and displaying the event at the consoles (101 and 117), wherein the event is displayed (525) using a first manner of display on each of the consoles (101 and 117). When the event is recognized (505) by a first console (101 and 117), the event is displayed (509) on the first console using a second manner of display in response to the recognition, and each of the consoles that is not the first console continues displaying (525) the event using the first manner of display. After the event is responded (511) to by a second console, the event is displayed (527) on the consoles using a third manner of display. After the event is responded to, the event is deleted (515) by a deleting console, and the event is displayed (533) on the consoles that is not the deleting console using a fourth manner of display and the displaying of the event is discontinued on the deleting console.

Abstract: A multi-site trunked radio communication system (100) in accordance with a preferred method (500) assigns communication resources (117-124) in response to an assigned or requested service level. The service level is determined based upon a number of parameters (128) including affiliated communication site, time, user override service data, network override service data and other service mode assignment data. The parameters are used to dynamically generate and periodically update a subscriber unit service participation mode (SPM) for each subscriber unit (114-116) operating in the communication system. Additionally, an existing service participation mode assignment may be overridden by the user from the subscriber unit and/or by a network operator/manager.

Abstract: A method for voice-based affiliation of an operator identification code to a communication unit (101) is accomplished when the communication unit transmits a voice-based affiliation request, a predetermined voice pattern and a communication unit identification code, to a communication resource allocator (103). Upon reception of the voice-based affiliation request, the communication resource allocator compares stored predetermined voice patterns with the predetermined voice pattern to identify a matching predetermined voice pattern. When the matching predetermined voice pattern is identified, the communication resource allocator affiliates the operator identification code with the communication unit identification code, thus affiliating the operator identification code with the communication unit.