The present invention discloses an automatic gain controller with an amplifier (10) having an amplifier output connected to a mixer (20) and a receiver signal strength indicator (100) connected to the amplifier output and to a first counter (60). The first counter (60) is adapted to produce a signal to control gain of the amplifier (10) and receives its input from the receiver signal strength indicator (100) which causes the first counter (60) to count up or down depending on the strength of the signal output from the amplifier (10). The automatic gain controller also includes a second counter (70) which is connected to an applications circuit and is adapted to produce a signal to control gain of the mixer (20). The second counter (70) receives its input from a gain control signal from the applications circuit (50) and also from the first counter (60).