A remote communication system (20) includes a signaling device (24) and a remotely located controller (26). The signaling device (24) includes a synchronization counter (44) and the controller includes a synchronization counter (34). Under normal circumstances, a transmitter (42) sends signals that are received by a receiver (32) and then processed appropriately by the controller (26). Transmissions from the transmitter (42) to the receiver (32) preferably are encrypted and then deciphered based upon a value from the synchronization counters. When the synchronization counter values do not correspond sufficiently to allow effective communication, synchronization counter value information is shared using a bi-directional communication link (50, 52) so that there may be correspondence between the synchronization counter values. In one example, low frequency (LF) signals are used for transmitting the synchronization counter values across the bi-directional communication link.