A method of communicating in a wireless network including a plurality of nodes having communications devices including a first node, wherein at least one node utilizes a first physical layer (PHY) modulation, and at least one other node utilizes a second PHY modulation different from the first PHY modulation. The first node receives a PHY frame transmitted by one of the plurality of nodes, and identifies a PHY modulation type selected from the first PHY modulation and the second PHY modulation used in the PHY frame or to be used in a subsequently to be received PHY frame or frame portion. The first node decodes the PHY frame or the subsequently to be received PHY frame or frame portion using the PHY modulation type identified in the identifying step.