A portable radio communication device is provided that receives communications on a primary channel and a secondary channel as part of a dual-watch mode of operation. The portable radio communication device detects a gesture associated with the portable radio communication device and identifies a channel from one of the primary channel and the secondary channel corresponding to the detected gesture. Further, the portable radio communication device associates controls of a user interface in the portable radio communication device to the identified channel for controlling one or more operational parameters pertaining to the identified channel during the dual-watch mode of operation.