Communication methods and systems wirelessly communicate onboard messages between communication devices onboard the same vehicle. The communication devices can wirelessly communicate with other communication devices onboard other vehicles in a vehicle system for remote control of the vehicles. Receipt of the onboard messages at the communication devices is determined, and operative states of the communication devices are determined based at least in part on the receipt of the onboard messages at the communication devices. Determining these operative states in this manner can allow for an operator to identify communication faults with the communication devices prior to departing the vehicle.