In a communications apparatus, a communication controller transmits and receives signals on any of plural channels. A channel switching controller is responsive to channel switching information selectively defining plural reception-waiting periods using the channels to alter a channel to be used by the communication controller. A neighboring node channel controller exchanges channel switching information with other nodes to manage the channel switching information received from the other nodes. When transmitting transmission signals, a transmission controller refers to the channel switching information of the other nodes, and controls repetitive transmission of the transmission signals on the channel thus searched for.