A method includes determining that a first receiver of a node of a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) is in an electromagnetic contested environment for a first frequency. The method also includes scanning a frequency coverage range of a second receiver of the node for unused frequencies. The method additionally includes selecting a frequency from the unused frequencies, the selected frequency to be used for communication of messages from another node of the MANET to the node via the second receiver. The method further includes transmitting, to the other node, a message including information of the selected frequency via the transmitter.