Abstract: In a wireless or cellular telephone system operated, for example, in accordance with the TIA/EIA IS-54 TDMA standard specification and frame structure, wherein RSS measurements in a Mobile Station of scanned communication channels are made in the slot intervals between the RX and TX slots to prepare for determining the gain (AGC) values needed in the receiver for a new channel identified over the current channel communicating with a Base Station, wherein slot interval measurements of the new channel signal strength are used to achieve a shorter handoff time in the Mobile Station and a more accurate initial AGC value in the receiver. The new channel signal strength is measured using the existing MAHO measurement procedure according to the IS-54 standard specification, or like procedure, and is performed in three slot intervals. The results of these measurements are used to determine the AGC value needed for the new radio channel.