A method for controlling an output of a power amplifier of a portable communication device includes determining a power level of a signal received at the portable communication device, generating a receive reference signal (RXLEV) that is indicative of the power level of the signal received at the portable communication device, and determining whether the receive reference signal is within a threshold value window. When the receive reference signal is within the threshold value window a nominal power output of a power amplifier in the portable communication device is transmitted during a random access channel signal transmission. When the receive reference signal is below the threshold value, a power output of the power amplifier in the portable communication device is increased during the random access channel signal transmission. When the receive reference signal is above the threshold value, a power output of the power amplifier in the portable communication device is decreased during the random access channel signal transmission.