1. A method implemented by a particular node in an ad hoc network, comprising: (a) broadcasting a request for response at a particular transmission power level; (b) receiving an N number of responses, thereby indicating that an N number of neighbor nodes received and responded to the request; (c) determining whether N is within a desired range; (d) in response to a determination that N is within the desired range, concluding that the particular transmission power level is an appropriate power level to use for future transmissions; (e) in response to a determination that N is not within the desired range, determining whether to adjust the particular transmission power level; and (f) repeating (a) through (e) until N is within the desired range.