Base stations transmit strip signals using strip
signal segments and self supporting modulation scheme techniques facilitating rapid channel estimate. A strip segment occupies one OFDM symbol time interval and uses a set of downlink tones; some, e.g., half, of the tones are left unused facilitating SIR measurement. The strip segments are advantageously timed to correspond to uplink access intervals in which connected
wireless terminals do not typically transmit uplink signals. Connected
wireless terminals including: multiple antennas used in combination, an antenna duplex module, single RF
receiver chain and single RF
transmitter chain, switch antenna coefficient combinations based on strip
signal segment timing. The
wireless terminal determines an independent downlink channel
quality measurement, e.g., SNR and / or SIR for each strip
signal segment and for on-going non-strip signaling. The wireless terminal compares channel quality measurements and selects an antenna coefficient combination to be used during non-strip signaling intervals obtaining very good
antenna gain.