It is proposed that "limited sensing" asynchronous random-access transmission algorithms be developed, analyzed, and evaluated, for data local area networks, (LAN's). The LAN topologies considered are mainly mobile radio and Ethernet-type configurations. The asynchronous, limited sensing class of random-access algorithms is most appropriate for such topologies, attaining superior performance characteristics, in conjunction with ease in implementation, and low operational cost. The existing algorithms for the above topologies are either unstable or nonimplementable. The algorithms we propose can be easily implemented on the existing systems, without changes in the hardware and with minimal software adaptation.