A wireless communication device (alternatively, device, WDEV, etc.) includes a processing circuitry configured to support communications with other WDEV(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processing circuitry, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other WDEV(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A WDEV generates an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame that includes OFDMA symbol(s) that include a set of pilots based on an OFDMA sub-carrier plan. The WDEV transmits the OFDMA frame to other WDEV(s) for use by the other WDEV(s) to perform estimation of communication pathway(s) between the WDEV and the other WDEV(s) using the set of pilots. The OFDMA sub-carrier plan includes multiple OFDMA sub-carrier sub-plans of different sized RUs including pilots.