A wireless communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processor configured to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processor, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. The device is configured to generate OFDM/A packets having certain characteristics based on different packet formats. For example, a first OFDM/A packet has first characteristic(s) based on a first packet format, a second OFDM/A packet has second characteristic(s) based on a second packet format, and so on. A receiver device is configured to process such OFDM/A packets to determine characteristic(s) thereof to determine, identify, classify, etc. their respective packet formats so that the OFDM/A packets can be properly and appropriately processed based on their particular packet formats.