A communication device stores a master rate table, which comprises a plurality of rows that correspond to i) respective data rates, and ii) respective sets of communication parameter values corresponding to the respective sets of data rates. Each set of communication parameter values includes i) a default value of a parameter, and iii) one or more alternative values of the parameter. When the communication device determines that a new transmission rate should be used, and when a current set of communication parameter values corresponds to a row in the master rate table and includes the default value, the communication device selects a trial set of communication parameter values corresponding to the row of the master rate table, and including one of the alternative values. The communication device measures an error rate measure corresponding to use of the trial set of communication parameter values.