A method for substantially reducing the frame erasure rate (FER) to approximately 1 percent dynamically changes the power down to power up ratio from 100 to 1 to 200 to 1 to minimize subsequent frame erasures. During call startup periods the method (60) loosely monitors the power. Whereas for consecutive error bursts of frame erasures, the process (80) does not change the power threshold. This power threshold is the level received signals are compared against to determine if a power up or a power down step needs to be performed. Likewise, RF fades will not cause the power threshold to be increased. Further, should the power threshold exceed its maximum, it is reset by process (90).