A base station (214) and the mobile station (202) can arrange the multiple antenna configuration by receiving a base station parameter that is related to a preference for one of a plurality of multiple antenna configurations of the base station. The method includes sending the selected multiple antenna configuration to a base station so that the base station can designate and establish the multiple antenna configuration to be used for communications between the base station and the mobile station. If conditions change at either the base station or the mobile station, the present invention can adjust the selected multiple antenna configuration to accommodate the changed condition.