Coding apparatus, and an associated method, for forming punctured binary convolutional codes for use in a multi-band OFDM ultra wide band radio communication system. Input data to be communicated is provided to a convolutional coder that forms a 1/3 rate code forming first-stage codes. The 1/3 rate code is punctured by a puncture matrix to form resultant code words. The puncture matrix is of values that optimize code performance at various code rates.