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 radio (101) affiliates with radio frequency sites (135, 145) based on a radio database (110) defining a group of valid site affiliations and a group of invalid site affiliations. Affiliations by the radio are controlled by a controller (120) with a controller database (160) defining a group of allowed site affiliations and a group of non-allowed site affiliations. When the controller database is altered, the radio database is updated to match the altered controller database. When the controller adds a site to its group of allowed site affiliations, it sends an updated radio database to the radio. When the controller adds a site to its group of non-allowed site affiliations, it waits until the radio requests permission to affiliate with that site and then sends an updated radio database to the radio. Upon receipt, the radio replaces its existing radio database with the updated radio database.