candidate frequency search report message cfsrepm the ofrm includes an updated report to the servicing base station of the status of ec io of all current active set pilot channel signals at the current frequency and rx_pwr_curr of the current frequency wherein rx_pwr_curr is a field indicating the value of received power for the current frequency in one embodiment of the present invention rx_pwr_curr is equivalent to the is 95b nov 18 1997 version proposed message of sf_total_rx_pwr if the ehdm received is not the first received ehdm for a proposed inter frequency hand off then the mobile continues the connection at the current frequency in accordance with step 42 returning now to step 14 either the comparison performed in step 10 or step 12 returned a negative result indicating a poor rf signal condition at the current frequency and therefore the mobile tuned to a new frequency to explore a potential hand off opportunity first in accordance with step 16 received power of signals at the new frequency is compared to a threshold comparison value min_rx_pwr_newf in one embodiment of the present invention the threshold comparison value min_rx_pwr_newf is equivalent to the is 95b nov 18 1997 version proposed threshold comparison.