A system and method for calibrating power level during initial ranging of a network client device, such as cable modem facilitates communications between a network client device and a network device such as a cable modem termination system. The method includes dividing the dynamic range of the cable modem transmitter into a plurality of regions and attempting initial ranging in each of the different regions. If a response is not received from the network device, the method including adjusting the power level and reattempting the initial ranging in the different regions. Once a range response message is received from the network device the process of initial ranging is complete.