Abstract: A communications system comprising: at least two communications resource sets, wherein each resource set includes at least one communications resource; a communications terminal connected to each of the at least two communications resource sets for transmitting and receiving messages between the resource sets; a communications router operably coupled to each communications terminal; and a control processor configured to search within a periodic time frame comprising multiple time slots for an available time slot on a control channel at frequency fc or, if a time slot is not available on the control channel, to search within a periodic time frame comprising multiple time slots for an available time slot on a slave channel at frequency fc.

Abstract: A communications system and method using slave channeling. The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving a request to transmit a message from a first communications resource, the request including a destination address that identifies a second resource; (b) searching within a periodic time frame for an available time slot on a control channel, wherein the second resource is available to receive the message; (c)(1) if the slot is available on the control channel, transmitting the message therein; (c)(2) otherwise, searching for an available slot on a slave channel (d)(1) if the slot is available on the slave channel, transmitting the message therein; (d)(2) otherwise, repeating steps (c)(2)-(d)(2). If the slot is available on the slave channel, the method further includes the steps of: (e) transmitting orderwire information to the first and second communications resources on the control channel; and (f) transmitting the message on the slave channel.