A wireless network node and a network provide for automatic self-deployment of the radio frequency channels without the need for preplanning. Each wireless network node adapts to the inclusion of a new node and to changing local conditions without requiring manual configuration at deployment or re-deployment. When a node is added to the network, it scans and finds its neighbors, and enters a frequency self-selection phase of its initialization process. The method for frequency self-selection involves transmitting and receiving a sequence of messages to/from neighbors and performing related processing within the controller unit of the node. Three sets of parameters are used in the frequency self-selection algorithm. The three parameter sets include a routing cost function, the frequencies in use by neighbors (and those that may be blocked), and the antenna beams used for the respective frequencies.