Device and method in a frequency hopping spread spectrum wireless communication system allow reception without the need to lock in synchronous steps with the frequency hopping channels. The transmitter will operate in the frequency hopping mode while the receiver operate in a frequency sweeping mode. The receiver has an IF pass band that effectively sweeps rapidly across the frequency hopping channels to intercept the active channel in the transmission spectrum. A less expensive radio could be manufactured while eliminating the complex receiver synchronization in the conventional frequency hopping scheme.