A wireless communication node includes a receiving portion configured to detect, over a wireless communication channel, a request to send (RTS) message from a transmitting station within a communication vicinity of the wireless communication node. The RTS message includes at least one duration field. The wireless communication node further includes a processor configured to (i) calculate an estimated time parameter, (ii) add the estimated time parameter to a current timestamp of the wireless communication node, and (iii) form a control packet from the RTS message, the at least one duration field, and the estimated time parameter. The wireless communication node further includes a transmitting portion configured to transmit over the wireless communication channel (i) a clear to send (CTS) message the transmitting station, and (ii) the control packet to a modem in operable communication with the wireless communication channel.