A wireless radio modem that may be incorporated into a host system or connected through a PCMCIA or similar port to a host system includes radio frequency modulation/demodulation circuitry employing electronic device elements that operate in a frequency range that minimizes the RF interference between the radio modem and the host system. Radio modem power conservation is maximized by 1) simplifying signal modulation processing by use of a two-point waveform transition table, thereby reducing processing requirements; and 2)incorporating a "sleep mode" feature in which all non-timer circuitry is powered-down when not in use.