A method and a device are provided for controlling operation of a wireless device (200). The method (500) includes transmitting an initial signal (410) to a controller device (120) in an initial mode (505); receiving initial instructions (420) from the controller device in the initial mode, after transmitting the initial signal (510), the initial instructions identifying an operational mode; setting transmit and receive circuitry in the wireless device to transmit and receive according to the operational mode (515, 520, 525); and transmitting operational signals (430) in the operational mode (530). The wireless device 200 includes an antenna controller (290) and an antenna switch (225) for implementing this method.