In a distributed control system for one or more machines and/or one or more processes, data and control commands are transmitted via radio connections between nodes in the control system. The nodes operate with radio transmitters and radio receivers and comprise or are controlled by activation devices for activating their transmission and receiver functions. The nodes also operate with time-determination devices which comprise or control the abovementioned activation devices. The time-determination devices are arranged to determine the transmission or reception position of the nodes by means of the activation devices and allocated settings or controls. The abovementioned settings or controls can be determined by means of one or more schedules implemented in or for the control system, in which the nodes are given unique or co-ordinated transmission and reception times on the radio connections.