A method is for selecting a coding scheme for use in a wireless packet data communication system. The coding scheme is one of a set of coding schemes that are useable on an uplink or downlink channel. States of support of a mobile station corresponding to the set of coding schemes are set to one of a set of values including supported, unsupported, and unknown support. A portion of an uplink or downlink data transfer for the mobile station is transmitted using a first coding scheme. The state of support of the mobile station for the first coding scheme is set to one of supported and unsupported based on whether the data transfer is received successfully. A quality measurement is performed during the transfer. A second coding scheme is then selected based upon the quality measurement and the set of states of support of the mobile station.