Abstract: A transceiver and method of controlling the automatic retransmission of a radio frequency commmunications signal in which a pilot tone within the radio frequency communications channel bandwidth but above the band of frequencies necessary for intelligence is phase modulated at a frequency below the frequency band of the intelligence and combined with the intelligence for transmission over a first frequency communication link. When received, the presence of the pilot tone and the modulation is detected, compared with predetermined standards and utilized to control the application of the demodulated intelligence to a second communication link. After establishing the second communication link, the predetermined standards utilized to control the application of the intelligence to the second communication link are relaxed.