The systems and methods of the present invention allow a radio device to connect to a mobile device via a protective case, the protective case housing the radio device and mobile device. When interconnected with the radio device, the mobile device may communicate via radio connection as well as cellular network connections and other wireless connections inherent to the mobile device. Described herein is a system and method to create a coupled mobile device and radio, with a Software Defined Radio capability operating on the mobile communication device to control the radio functionalities embedded within the radio device.