An example method may include obtaining default transmitting parameters and potential variations of the default transmitting parameters for a packet to be transmitted over a wireless network. The method may also include obtaining medium state information for a medium of the wireless network. The method may additionally include generating a first candidate of transmitting parameters and a second candidate of transmitting parameters based on the medium state information, where each of the first and second candidates of transmitting parameters are consistent with at least one of the default transmitting parameters and the potential variations of the default transmitting parameters. The method may also include selecting from among the first and the second candidates of transmitting parameters to use when transmitting the packet over the wireless network.