A method that includes wirelessly receiving a signal, and detecting a start of packet (SOP) for a packet that conforms to a wireless networking standard. The detecting from the received signal uses at least one SOP detection criterion. In the case an SOP is detected, the method further includes determining a plurality of metrics from the received signal, and using at least two of the plurality of metrics to determine an initial timing for a received packet. Different versions combine the metrics in different ways to determine the initial timing. Also an apparatus that includes a radio receiver to receive a signal and output a received signal, and an SOP detector coupled to the radio receiver to detect a start of packet (SOP) from a received signal using at least one SOP detection criterion for a packet that conforms to a wireless networking standard. The apparatus further includes a processing circuit coupled to the radio receiver to determine a plurality of metrics from the received signal, and a initial time determining circuit coupled to the SOP detector and the processing circuit. In the case an SOP is detected, the initial time determining circuit uses at least two of the plurality of metrics to determine an initial timing for a received packet.