A handheld communication device having an RF front end module has a switchable balun comprising a primary winding having a first two port winding and a second two port winding where a low noise amplifier is operatively coupled to the first and second two port windings and a power amplifier is operatively coupled to the first and second two port windings. A secondary winding is operatively coupled to an antenna, and a transceiver is operatively coupled to the low noise amplifier and the power amplifier. When the switchable balun is in a receive state, the antenna is operatively coupled to the transceiver through the low noise amplifier, and when the switchable balun is in a transmit state, the antenna is operatively coupled to the transceiver through the power amplifier. The ratio of the primary winding to the secondary winding is greater than a one-to-one ratio.