An apparatus and method are disclosed for improving signal transmission on a wireless device such as a personal digital assistant, wireless messaging device, or cellular phone. An initial transmission power level is selected based on received signal strength. If subsequent transmissions at the initial power level are unreliable, then the power is increased by a predetermined amount. Power level increases continue until signal transmission is reliable or the highest power level is reached. One embodiment of the system maintains its heightened power level across multiple communication dialogs.