Systems, software, devices, and methods are described for an RFID reader system to communicate with RFID tags. RF energy detected in conjunction with using a selected channel is detected and used to adjust a waveform shaping parameter. The waveform shaping parameter can be additionally stored, and then reconstructed for later use in the same channel. Reconstruction can optionally be also from derived channel performance data. RF waves can be transmitted from the reader to the RFID tags and RF waves can be backscattered from the RFID tags. At least some of the RF waves transmitted to or backscattered from the RFID tags have a waveform with a shape according to the reconstructed waveform shaping parameter.