In a wireless communication system, (e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN)), including a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) and a coordinating node, (e.g., an access point (AP)), path loss is estimated by transmitting a loud packet from a first one of the WTRUs to a second one of the WTRUs. The coordinating node transmits a loud packet generation request message. A first one of the WTRUs receives the loud packet generation request message and transmits at least one loud packet at a transmission power specified by the loud packet generation request message. Optionally, the first WTRU transmits a loud packet generation response message. A second one of the WTRUs receives the loud packet and determines a path loss between the first WTRU and the second WTRU by subtracting the signal strength of the loud packet from the determined transmission power of the loud packet.