A method includes sending a message from a first cognitive radio apparatus to at least one second cognitive radio apparatus, the message being sent over a first communication channel and containing an advertisement of at least one second communication channel for use in sending data from the first cognitive radio apparatus to the at least one second cognitive radio apparatus. The method further includes receiving a reply from the at least one second cognitive radio apparatus over the first communication channel, where the reply contains one of an acceptance of one of the at least one second communication channels, a rejection of the at least one second communication channel and an advertisement of at least one third communication channel, or a rejection of the at least one second communication channel without an advertisement of at least one third communication channel. The method further includes transmitting the data from the first cognitive radio apparatus to the at least one second cognitive radio apparatus over an agreed upon one of the second or third channels.