Wireless communication method and system for improving optimal antenna weight derivation in transmit diversity mode during soft handover. The method and system use scale factors that depend on the reliability of the feedback information (FBI) detection on the uplink. Depending on FBI detections for each link, the scale factors are then applied to the downlink channel response estimates. FBI detection performance may be based on downlink antenna verification, downlink transmit power control command "up/down" ratio, or both. Poor antenna verification or a high number of "power up" commands on the uplink may indicate unreliable FBI detection. By applying higher scale factors to downlink channel responses corresponding to reliable FBI detection, better closed transmit diversity performance during soft handovers may be achieved. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.