A system (100) and method (300) of feedback transmitter power control can include a transmitter temperature detector such as a thermistor based temperature detector (118), a detector for detecting forward and reflected transmitter power (113 and 115), and a voltage controlled attenuator (120) placed in a radio frequency power control feedback path for modifying transmitter power based on a detected transmitter temperature and a detected forward and reflected transmitter power. The system can further include a logarithmic amplifier controller (122) in the feedback path coupled to the voltage controlled attenuator as well as a power amplifier (112) coupled to the voltage controlled attenuator. The system can operate in both analog and time division multiple access modes. The system can be active in real time throughout a push-to-talk session.