An apparatus receives from a first device a first broadcast message/beacon which comprises an identifier for an enabling station, then uses the identifier to associate with the enabling station to obtain from it a list of at least one license-exempt channel (e.g., TV whitespaces). In one embodiment the apparatus can then join an ad hoc network (IBSS) with the first device and transmit a second beacon which comprises the identifier for the enabling station. If the apparatus hears multiple beacons advertising different IBSSs, it can select to join the first device's ad hoc network over the other(s) based on a service offered or the first device's network being trusted. Various examples are detailed for where in the beacon frame the identifier (e.g., SSID) might be placed. In one example the apparatus and first device are Mode I devices and the enabling station is a Mode II device under (draft) IEEE802.11af.