A method and system for scanning a TDMA channel by a subscriber unit in a wireless communications landscape 100 is disclosed. The subscriber unit locks onto a channel that is preprogrammed in the subscriber unit. A base radio transmits a control message to the subscriber unit. The control message informs the subscriber unit of activity present on the channel. The subscriber unit receives and decodes the control message to determine whether there is activity on the channel. If there is, the subscriber unit determines whether the activity is of interest. If it is, then the subscriber unit remains on the channel to receive the activity present on the channel.