A transcoder-codec circuit arrangement that supports voice-switched hands-free radio operation. A first register is arranged to store a value indicative of a peak signal in a receive signal path, a first attenuator is coupled to the receive path, a second register is arranged to store a value indicative of a peak signal in a transmit signal path, a second attenuator is coupled to the transmit signal path, and a digital signal processor is coupled to the first and second registers and configured and arranged to update the value in the first register with a present peak receive signal level if the value in the first register is less than the present peak receive signal level. The digital signal processor is further arranged to update the value in the second register to a present peak transmit signal level if the value in the second register is less than the present peak transmit signal level. A microcontroller is coupled to the first and second registers and to the first and second attenuators and is configured to read values from the first and second register and adjust the first and second attenuators in response to the values.