A method and an apparatus for determining an availability of at least one space channel are disclosed. For example, the method generates a first request to identify at least one available white space channel, and encodes the first request to obtain a second request, wherein the second request comprises one or more bursts of data, wherein each of said bursts of data has a duration less than or equal to a pre-determined maximum signal duration that is based on one or more error tolerance standards associated with a digital television receiver. The method then transmits the second request wirelessly to other devices to solicit a response as to the availability of at least one space channel.