Systems and techniques are disclosed wherein a gated pilot signal can be acquired by searching for a first gated pilot signal, deriving timing information from the search for the first gated pilot signal, and searching for a second gated pilot signal using the timing information. This can be implemented in a variety of fashions including a receiver with a searcher configured to generate a bit sequence, a correlator configured to correlate a received signal with the bit sequence, and a processor configured to detect a first gated pilot signal as a function of the correlation, derive timing information from the first gated pilot signal, and detect a second gated pilot signal by using the timing information to control the bit sequence generated by the searcher. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.