A method for operating a data processing system to determine the actual frequency of a transmitter LO in a transmitter that up converts a repetitive input time domain signal to a repetitive RF signal is disclosed. The method includes receiving a repetitive RF signal resulting from up converting the input time domain signal and assuming a value for the transmitter LO frequency. The received signal is down converted to an IF signal using the transmitter LO frequency, and digitizes to form a time domain record, The time domain record is converted to a sequence of frequency spectra, each frequency spectrum is characterized by a time index and a plurality of plurality of phasors. The frequency difference between the assumed LO transmitter and an actual LO transmitter frequency is determined by fitting the sequence of frequency spectra to a phase tracker function of the time index and the frequency difference.