This invention teaches a method, and circuits that operate in accordance with the method, for adaptively controlling the transmitted power of a CDMA transmitter (50, 102). The method includes the steps of: (a) presetting a register, such as a counter (112), with an estimate of a maximum transmitter gain signal, the counter having an count output that is a representation of a maximum transmitter gain signal (TX max); (b) deriving a transmitter gain signal (TX gain) from a received CDMA signal; (c) comparing TX max to TX gain and, if TX gain is greater than TX max, (d) applying a gain control signal to the transmitter that is derived from TX max, and (e) enabling the counter to increase its count; else, if TX gain is less than TX max, (f) applying a gain control signal to the transmitter that is derived from TX gain, and (g) disabling the counter from increasing its count.