Abstract: A method for routing data through a packet communications network including the steps of generating a concatenated data packet containing a plurality of messages for transmission to a plurality of radios in the network, appending a first set of assignment commands and destination codes to the concatenated data packet, and transmitting the concatenated data packet to a first set of radios of the plurality of radios in a single transmission. The method further includes the steps of extracting messages from the concatenated data packet for the first set of radios, appending a second set of assignment commands and destination codes to the concatenated data packet, and relaying the concatenated data packet to a second set of radios of the plurality of radios in a single transmission. In a preferred embodiment, the adaptive protocol for packet communications network of the present invention forms the concatenated data packet in a headend radio.