A method and apparatus adaptively selects a communication strategy for communicating a message in a selective call radio communication system including a fixed portion (100) and a portable portion (101). The fixed portion (100) transmits (402) an alert signal to the portable portion (101), and awaits (404) an acknowledgment signal including a signal quality estimate from the portable portion (101). The portable portion (101) receives (602) the alert signal, and computes (604, 606) the signal quality estimate therefrom. The portable portion (101) then sends (608) the acknowledgment signal to the fixed portion (100). In response to the acknowledgment signal, the fixed portion (100) selects (407) a transmission strategy in accordance with the signal quality estimate. For compatibility, the transmission strategy requires a matching reception strategy in the portable portion (101). After sending the acknowledgment signal, the portable portion (101) selects (609) the matching reception strategy in accordance with the signal quality estimate sent in the acknowledgment signal without requiring further communication with the fixed portion (100).