Extensions to distributed MAC protocols with collision avoidance using RTS/CTS exchanges

In a communications network having a plurality of stations and a shared common communications medium using a collision avoidance media access protocol for communication between the stations, in which medium access is granted to a pair of stations obtaining a successful reservation of the medium, the pair of stations comprising a requester station and a target station, the requester station comprising a primary station, and the target station comprising a secondary station, in which the primary station coordinates communication to the secondary station, other stations in range of the primary station comprising observing stations, the improvement, comprising a method of joining an observing station to a reservation wherein the primary station invites a selected observing station to participate in communication with it; the selected observing station responds thereto; the primary joins the selected observing station as a secondary station within the reservation in replacement of the secondary station in the rese