A method for controlling communications between a mobile device and a pair of base stations during a soft hand off mode of operation in a wireless system using HARQ is provided. In the soft hand off mode of operation, the mobile device communicates with a plurality of base stations and receives a plurality of feedback signals in the form of NACK and ACK signals from each of the plurality of base stations. The mobile device determines the reliability of each of these feedback signals, combines the reliable signals, and retransmits the old information if no ACK signals are received. On the other hand, the receipt of even one reliable ACK signal results in new data being delivered to the plurality of base stations.