RFID readers may be configured to supply power to tags during frequency hops. When a reader is supplying power to a passive RFID tag via a first RF waveform having a first radio frequency and determines that it is to frequency-hop, the reader may determine whether the tag requires power during the hop. If so, the reader begins (or continues) to synthesize a second RF waveform with a second radio frequency while also synthesizing the first RF waveform, and frequency-hops by transitioning from transmitting the first RF waveform to transmitting the second RF waveform such that the power transmitted during the transition is sufficient for the tag to operate.