A system and method are disclosed for characterizing the propagation properties of a plurality of radio frequency links without sounding each link. An access point sounds a first link and receives, from a station connected to the access point, channel state information, which may be compressed, from which it constructs a geometric representation applicable to the plurality of radio frequency links. The access point performs a sounding of a second link and receives from the station delta information, which may be compressed, regarding propagation differences between the first link and the second link. The access point then derives the propagation characteristics of the second link based on the geometric representation and the delta information. In some cases, the delta information is null, indicating no difference between the two links.