Abstract: An HF radio ALE communication system may include a first HF radio communications device including a first HF radio transceiver and a first controller coupled thereto, and a second HF radio communications device including a second HF radio transceiver and a second controller coupled thereto. The first controller may cooperate with the first HF radio transceiver and may be configured to use ALE to establish a narrowband communication link with the second HF radio communications device, and to communicate a wideband message probe to the second HF radio communications device. The second controller may cooperate with the second HF radio transceiver and may be configured to determine at least one channel characteristic based upon the wideband message probe. The first controller may cooperate with the first HF radio transceiver and may be configured to update the narrowband communication link based upon the at least one channel characteristic.