A method for setting up a group call within a dispatch radio communication
system is disclosed. Additional stations which are not programmed to
respond to a transmitted group identification code (GIC) are enabled to
join the call. The method comprises steps carried out by a service
provider of (a) providing first and second additional fields in a set-up
message, the first additional field carrying a Group Call Access
Permission (GCAP) value and the second additional field carrying a Help
Request Level (HRL) value, (b) enabling a call initiator to select a GCAP
value, according to a range of stations the call initiator wishes to
reach, and a HRL value, according to an assigned call priority, for
transmission alongside the GIC in the step (a) fields, and (c) enabling
any station that receives a set-up message to determine whether to join
the call based on the GCAP and HRL values.