Abstract: A method of managing (150) an overlapping radio patch which allows a audio channel to be involved in multiple patches which are established at different dispatch positions. The method prevents interaction between channels that are not part of the same radio patch by maintaining dynamic profiles of channel assignments (153) and channel patches (155). Channel activity is tracked (157) and a connection instance count (CIC) is determined using the assignment and patch profiles as well as the channel activity. Audio connections are then managed (161) using the corresponding CIC's to dynamically switch connections. This ensures the connections are in place only when needed thereby avoiding any latent connections which would contend for network resources. The invention allows for the implementation of a composite channel concept which improves the overall capability of radio dispatch services in a multi-channel, multi-dispatcher environment.