A method and system are provided for minimizing errors by retransmitting packets in a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) space-time coded packet radio. A packet is transmitted using a first STC code mapping, the mapping including well-known symbol operations, and optional signal weighting. When transmission errors are detected the packet is re-transmitted using STC code mappings selected in turn from a deterministic sequence of STC code mappings. The STC code mappings are chosen in accordance with one or more principles.