UEs are adapted to facilitate detection and handling of deconstructive impacts of default weight factors employed before downlink and uplink synchronization is achieved in closed-loop transmission diversity communications. According to one example, a UE may receive transmissions sent using a default weight factor for transmission diversity. The UE may determine whether the default weight factor is causing a deconstructive impact on signal-to-interference ratio estimates for the received transmissions. When it is determined that the default weight factor is causing the deconstructive impact on the signal-to-interference ratio estimates for the received transmissions, the UE may employ an alternate closed-loop transmission diversity (CLTD) mode. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.