Techniques for transmitting information using beacon symbols in a wireless communication system are described. In one design, a transmitter may map information to multiple subcarriers among a plurality of subcarriers, with the information being conveyed by the position of the multiple subcarriers. The transmitter may map the information to at least one non-binary symbol. The transmitter may then determine each of the multiple subcarriers based on one non-binary symbol or may determine all of the multiple subcarriers based on one non-binary symbol. The transmitter may generate a beacon symbol having the information mapped to the multiple subcarriers. The transmitter may use higher transmit power for the multiple subcarriers to allow receivers with low geometry to reliably receive the information. The use of multiple subcarriers may allow more information to be sent in the beacon symbol and may also improve frequency diversity.