Abstract: A symmetrical communication protocol allows handsets to operate as a master unit or a slave unit and operate independently of any base station. Remote units may contact each other directly with the calling unit being temporarily designated as a master unit and the called unit being designated temporarily as a slave unit. A wireless communication link is established between the two units and the units frequency-hop in synchronization in accordance with FCC requirements. The units independently monitor the signal strength of the incoming signal and can transmit power change commands to the other unit to increase or decrease transmission power as required. A calling unit initially transmits a call request on a limited number of the available frequency channels in order to decrease the acquisition time period. An idle unit has a sleep cycle and an awake cycle.