Abstract: In a wireless local area network in which data packets are spread spectrum encoded, method and apparatus are provided for determining phase values that synchronize noise codes at network stations with received data packets. A synchronizing packet is first transmitted from a source station to various network stations. Each network station performs a wide-range search for a phase value that synchronizes the noise code of the station with the synchronizing packet. Thereafter, each network station performs narrow-range searches for phase values synchronizing the noise code of the station with subsequently received network packets. The stations switch to the wide-range search mode whenever a synchronizing phase angle has not been detected for predetermined period of time and switch to a narrow-range search mode whenever a synchronizing phase angle is detected.