Pilot logic may determine based upon channel and phase information how to process pilot tones that shift locations every N symbols in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) packet transmission. Pilot logic may determine a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the channel to determine how to process the shifting pilot tones. Pilot logic may also determine channel and phase information updates such as channel state information and phase correction information from pilot tones. In situations of high SNR, logic may use channel estimates and phase rotations that are obtained from locations of the pilot tones for phase tracking and updating the equalizer. In situations of low SNR, logic may use the phase rotations for phase tracking and not update the equalizer during the OFDM transmission. Logic may also determine the presence or absence of a Doppler effect on the transmission and transmit a selection for N to an access point in response.