In an automatic remote metering system in accordance with the invention a method is provided for reprogramming each client utility meter from a host computer by downloading a reprogram first program from the host to a corresponding hub utility meter fourth memory portion via a communications link, verifying integrity of the reprogram first program, and downloading the reprogram first program from the hub utility meter to the client utility meter via a radio frequency link and overwriting the client utility meter first program code with the reprogram first program code.