Abstract: In a radio based wireless mesh packet network wherein packet traffic is scheduled between a high capacity communications link and a plurality of nodes interconnected by wireless links, an access unit is provided at a first node having a plurality of radios coupled to the high capacity link and wherein each of the plurality of radios is capable of detecting a polling of the access unit by other nodes. A poll is sent from a second node to the access unit at the first node on a first channel. Reports of receipt of the poll are shared among the plurality of radios. An acknowledgment is sent on behalf of the access unit from only one of the plurality of radios to the polling node, and further communication is conducted between the one of the plurality of radios and the node on a second channel.