In certain embodiments, a first node among a plurality of distributed nodes capable of forming or reforming a communication network between the nodes, each of the nodes including one or more transceivers, includes a memory for storing values for variables for the first node and includes a plurality of transceivers. The first node is operable to: (1) spontaneously and independent of a centralized controller associated with the network, transmit a probe message for purposes of forming or reforming a network; (2) receive a probe message from a second node for purposes of forming or reforming a network, the probe message including values for variables for the second node; (3) compare the values for the variables for the first node to the values for the variables for the second node within the probe message to determine, independent of a centralized controller associated with the network, whether the first node should set a home channel of one of its transceivers to a new channel; and (4) if so, set the home channel of a determined one of the transceivers of the first node to the new channel.