Abstract: A method for a synchronizing user devices (12) performing handoffs includes providing a set of location synchronizing frequencies and data frequencies selected from a hopping set used by network access points (14). Each AP transmits synchronizing data (36) at the synchronizing frequencies during a portion of a short dwell (32), the short dwells (32) being interleaved between long dwells (30). When a user device (12) attempt a handoff, it tunes to at least one of the synchronizing frequencies and receives synchronizing information (36). The user device (12) then selects one AP (14) for link transfer and synchronizes its operation to the hopping set used by the selected AP (14).