Data rate allocation decisions are made for a communications channel, such as a 
wireless reverse link connection. A first parameter used in this determination is a 
path loss, which is determined by the following process. First, a message is sent from a first 
station to a second 
station, such as on a 
paging channel. The message indicates a forward 
Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of a 
pilot signal transmitted by the first 
station. The second station then determines the received 
signal strength of this 
pilot signal, taking into account 
receiver gains. The 
path loss can then be estimated by the second station as the difference between the forward ERP 
data value that it received and the detected received 
pilot power. The second station also then preferably determines a transmit 
power level when transmitting a message back to the first station. This transmit 
power level information is encoded as a 
digital data word together with the forward 
path loss information as calculated by the first station. Upon 
receipt of these two pieces of information by the first station, the forward path loss estimate as calculated by the second station, and the output power value of the second station, the first station can then determine the amount of excess power available at the field unit. This excess 
power difference is indicative of the amount of 
dynamic range available in the transmit power 
amplifier in the particular second station. With this information, the first station can then make a determination as to whether coding rates which require a higher 
dynamic range will be acceptable for use by the particular second station.