A method for the selection of forward error correction (FEC)/constellation pairings (800) for digital transmitted segments based on learning radio link adaptation (RLA) including formatting a packet transmission having a predetermined number of information bits (801). The packet is then split into a plurality of segments (803) where an RLA is used (805) to determine the optimum format of the packet. The plurality of segments is then sent to a channel encoder for FEC encoding and symbol mapping (807) at a rate selected by the RLA. The segments are then formatted into packet blocks (809) and transmitted in blocks that form a time slot at a constant symbol rate.