the present invention discloses an apparatus and method for adapting a transmission parameter in a transmitting node of a data communication system to the current link quality of a data communication channel . the adapted transmission parameter is selected by the transmitting node from a set of transmission parameters in dependence on a number of successful transmissions . the number of successful transmissions is compared in the transmitting node against one of a first threshold value corresponding to a first state of the transmitting node and a second threshold value corresponding to a second state of the transmitting node . the method comprises in the transmitting node the steps of counting the number of successful transmissions ; selecting the adapted transmission parameter in response to the number of successful transmissions equaling or exceeding the first threshold value when the transmitting node is in the first state , and in response to the number of successful transmissions equaling or exceeding the second threshold value when the transmitting node is in the second state ; and in dependence of the result of a following transmission , operating the transmitting node in one of the first state and the second state .