Method and apparatus for power level adjustment in a wireless communication system

A method and apparatus for transmitter re-initialization in a wireless communication system 810). When the communication link between a mobile station (38) and a base station (32) is in trouble, the mobile station and the infrastructure prearrange potential rescue base stations (34). The mobile station 838) disables the transmitter during the rescue process. On recovery the transmit po wer level of the transmitter is incremented for transmission of the pilot strength measurement message until a hand-off direction message is received. The transmit power level is incremented to a maximum value.