A waveform and related devices and methods are disclosed for dynamic use of an air interface in a mobile ad hoc network. The waveform includes a dual preamble sequence enclosing self-discovery data that characterizes modulation for a subsequent data signal. The preamble is designed so that the circular correlation of the preamble sequence with itself is an impulse, and the first preamble sequence is a complex conjugate of the second preamble sequence. The preamble sequence can be used to bound a data packet on both sides so that detection of the impulse yields a window in which a data packet can be located, while the self discovery data provides information to extract the data signal from the wireless waveform. In one aspect, the preamble may be implemented using a CHIRP sequence that is a perfect square for more efficient implementation in a wireless modem. In addition, CHIRP sequences for different nodes can be generated with low cross-correlation to reduce interference among nodes in the MANET. The preamble may also support channel sounding or equalization to reverse amplitude or phase distortion in a channel.