A method and apparatus for operating a portable radio communication device is provided. The portable radio communication device receives communications on a primary channel and a secondary channel during a dual-watch mode of operation. The portable radio communication device determines whether the portable radio communication device is proximate to a subject. The portable radio communication device suppresses audio from communications of one of the two channels and plays audio from communications of the other channel when the portable communication device is proximate to the subject. Additionally, the portable radio communication device allows transmission to occur only over the channel in which communication is not suppressed when the portable communication device is proximate to the subject.