diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index f4ad3b3..08b83a2 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ ENABLE_OVERLAY                := 0
 ENABLE_LTO                    := 1
 ENABLE_UART                   := 1
 ENABLE_AIRCOPY                := 0
-ENABLE_FMRADIO                := 0
+ENABLE_FMRADIO                := 1
 ENABLE_NOAA                   := 0
 ENABLE_VOICE                  := 0
 ENABLE_ALARM                  := 0
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ ENABLE_F_CAL_MENU             := 0
 ENABLE_CTCSS_TAIL_PHASE_SHIFT := 1
 ENABLE_MAIN_KEY_HOLD          := 1
 ENABLE_BOOT_BEEPS             := 0
-ENABLE_COMPANDER              := 1
+ENABLE_COMPANDER              := 0
 ENABLE_SHOW_CHARGE_LEVEL      := 1
 ENABLE_REVERSE_BAT_SYMBOL     := 1
 ENABLE_CODE_SCAN_TIMEOUT      := 0
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 40be7d3..ed723c4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ ENABLE_F_CAL_MENU             := 0       enable/disable the radios hidden freque
 ENABLE_CTCSS_TAIL_PHASE_SHIFT := 1       standard CTCSS tail phase shift rather than QS's own 55Hz tone method
 ENABLE_MAIN_KEY_HOLD          := 1       initial F-key press not needed, instead just hold down keys 0-9 to access the secondary butt functions
 ENABLE_BOOT_BEEPS             := 0       gives user audio feedback on volume knob position at boot-up
-ENABLE_COMPANDER              := 1       compander option (per channel)
+ENABLE_COMPANDER              := 0       this is broken, don't bother with it for now .. compander option (per channel)
 ENABLE_SHOW_CHARGE_LEVEL      := 0       show the charge level when the radio is on charge
 ENABLE_REVERSE_BAT_SYMBOL     := 1       mirror the battery symbol on the status bar (+ pole on the right)
 ENABLE_CODE_SCAN_TIMEOUT      := 0       enable/disable 32-sec CTCSS/DCS scan timeout (press exit butt instead of time-out to end scan)
diff --git a/app/app.c b/app/app.c
index b457f23..c691ab1 100644
--- a/app/app.c
+++ b/app/app.c
@@ -574,7 +574,7 @@ void APP_StartListening(FUNCTION_Type_t Function, const bool reset_am_fix)
 		(gEeprom.DAC_GAIN    << 0));     // AF DAC Gain (after Gain-1 and Gain-2)
 
 	#ifdef ENABLE_VOICE
-		if (gVoiceWriteIndex == 0)
+//		if (gVoiceWriteIndex == 0)
 	#endif
 			BK4819_SetAF(gRxVfo->AM_mode ? BK4819_AF_AM : BK4819_AF_OPEN);
 
@@ -591,6 +591,8 @@ void APP_StartListening(FUNCTION_Type_t Function, const bool reset_am_fix)
 	}
 	else
 		gUpdateDisplay = true;
+
+	gUpdateStatus = true;
 }
 
 uint32_t APP_SetFrequencyByStep(VFO_Info_t *pInfo, int8_t Step)
@@ -1002,7 +1004,7 @@ static void APP_HandleVox(void)
 		if (gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_POWER_SAVE)
 			FUNCTION_Select(FUNCTION_FOREGROUND);
 
-		if (gCurrentFunction != FUNCTION_TRANSMIT)
+		if (gCurrentFunction != FUNCTION_TRANSMIT && gSerialConfigCountDown_500ms == 0)
 		{
 			gDTMF_ReplyState = DTMF_REPLY_NONE;
 			RADIO_PrepareTX();
@@ -1021,8 +1023,8 @@ void APP_Update(void)
 		}
 	#endif
 
-	if (gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_TRANSMIT && gTxTimeoutReached)
-	{	// transmitter timed out
+	if ((gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_TRANSMIT && gTxTimeoutReached) || gSerialConfigCountDown_500ms > 0)
+	{	// transmitter timed out or must de-key
 		gTxTimeoutReached = false;
 
 		gFlagEndTransmission = true;
@@ -1747,30 +1749,27 @@ void APP_TimeSlice500ms(void)
 
 	// Skipped authentic device check
 
+	if ((gBatteryCheckCounter & 1) == 0)
+	{
+		BOARD_ADC_GetBatteryInfo(&gBatteryVoltages[gBatteryVoltageIndex++], &gBatteryCurrent);
+		if (gBatteryVoltageIndex > 3)
+			gBatteryVoltageIndex = 0;
+		BATTERY_GetReadings(true);
+	}
+
+	// regular display updates (once every 2 sec) - if need be
+	if ((gBatteryCheckCounter & 3) == 0)
+	{
+		if (gChargingWithTypeC || gSetting_battery_text > 0)
+			gUpdateStatus = true;
+		#ifdef ENABLE_SHOW_CHARGE_LEVEL
+			if (gChargingWithTypeC)
+				gUpdateDisplay = true;
+		#endif
+	}
+
 	if (gCurrentFunction != FUNCTION_TRANSMIT)
 	{
-		if ((gBatteryCheckCounter & 1) == 0)
-		{
-			BOARD_ADC_GetBatteryInfo(&gBatteryVoltages[gBatteryVoltageIndex++], &gBatteryCurrent);
-
-			if (gBatteryVoltageIndex > 3)
-				gBatteryVoltageIndex = 0;
-
-			BATTERY_GetReadings(true);
-		}
-
-		// regular display updates (once every 2 sec) - if need be
-		if ((gBatteryCheckCounter & 3) == 0)
-		{
-			if (gChargingWithTypeC || gSetting_battery_text > 0)
-				gUpdateStatus = true;
-
-			#ifdef ENABLE_SHOW_CHARGE_LEVEL
-				if (gChargingWithTypeC)
-					gUpdateDisplay = true;
-			#endif
-		}
-
 		if (gCurrentFunction != FUNCTION_POWER_SAVE)
 			updateRSSI(gEeprom.RX_CHANNEL);
 
diff --git a/app/generic.c b/app/generic.c
index b96b700..fb378c1 100644
--- a/app/generic.c
+++ b/app/generic.c
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ void GENERIC_Key_PTT(bool bKeyPressed)
 {
 	gInputBoxIndex = 0;
 
-	if (!bKeyPressed)
+	if (!bKeyPressed || gSerialConfigCountDown_500ms > 0)
 	{
 		//if (gScreenToDisplay == DISPLAY_MAIN)
 		{
diff --git a/audio.c b/audio.c
index 94d54d6..eff3393 100644
--- a/audio.c
+++ b/audio.c
@@ -279,12 +279,7 @@ void AUDIO_PlayBeep(BEEP_Type_t Beep)
 				SYSTEM_DelayMs(Delay * 10);
 	
 				if (gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_RECEIVE || gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_MONITOR)
-				{
-					if (gRxVfo->AM_mode)
-						BK4819_SetAF(BK4819_AF_AM);
-					else
-						BK4819_SetAF(BK4819_AF_OPEN);
-				}
+					BK4819_SetAF(gRxVfo->AM_mode ? BK4819_AF_AM : BK4819_AF_OPEN);
 	
 				#ifdef ENABLE_FMRADIO
 					if (gFmRadioMode)
diff --git a/bitmaps.c b/bitmaps.c
index 3f5a105..0f6b6de 100644
--- a/bitmaps.c
+++ b/bitmaps.c
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 // all these images are on their right sides
 // turn your monitor 90-deg anti-clockwise to see the images
 
-const uint8_t BITMAP_PowerSave[8] =
+const uint8_t BITMAP_POWERSAVE[8] =
 {
 	#if 0
 		// "S"
@@ -29,6 +29,30 @@ const uint8_t BITMAP_PowerSave[8] =
 	#endif
 };
 
+const uint8_t BITMAP_TX[8] =
+{	// "TX"
+	0b00000000,
+	0b00000001,
+	0b00000001,
+	0b01111111,
+	0b00000001,
+	0b00000001,
+	0b00000000,
+	0b00000000
+};
+
+const uint8_t BITMAP_RX[8] =
+{	// "RX"
+	0b00000000,
+	0b01111111,
+	0b00001001,
+	0b00011001,
+	0b01100110,
+	0b00000000,
+	0b00000000,
+	0b00000000
+};
+
 const uint8_t BITMAP_BatteryLevel[2] =
 {
 	0b01011101,
diff --git a/bitmaps.h b/bitmaps.h
index 96b984a..51e2fbb 100644
--- a/bitmaps.h
+++ b/bitmaps.h
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 
 #include <stdint.h>
 
-extern const uint8_t BITMAP_PowerSave[8];
+extern const uint8_t BITMAP_POWERSAVE[8];
+extern const uint8_t BITMAP_TX[8];
+extern const uint8_t BITMAP_RX[8];
 
 extern const uint8_t BITMAP_BatteryLevel[2];
 extern const uint8_t BITMAP_BatteryLevel1[17];
diff --git a/driver/bk4819.c b/driver/bk4819.c
index 6ffff61..551de68 100644
--- a/driver/bk4819.c
+++ b/driver/bk4819.c
@@ -831,14 +831,16 @@ void BK4819_SetCompander(const unsigned int mode)
 	// mode 2 .. RX
 	// mode 3 .. TX and RX
 
+	const uint16_t r31 = BK4819_ReadRegister(BK4819_REG_31);
+	
 	if (mode == 0)
 	{	// disable
-		BK4819_WriteRegister(BK4819_REG_31, BK4819_ReadRegister(BK4819_REG_31) & ~(1u < 3));
+		BK4819_WriteRegister(BK4819_REG_31, r31 & ~(1u < 3));
 		return;
 	}
 
 	// enable
-	BK4819_WriteRegister(BK4819_REG_31, BK4819_ReadRegister(BK4819_REG_31) | (1u < 3));
+	BK4819_WriteRegister(BK4819_REG_31, r31 | (1u < 3));
 
 	// set the compressor ratio
 	//
@@ -848,9 +850,18 @@ void BK4819_SetCompander(const unsigned int mode)
 	//                10 = 2:1
 	//                11 = 4:1
 	//
-	const uint16_t compress_ratio = (mode == 1 || mode >= 3) ? 3 : 0;  // 4:1
-	BK4819_WriteRegister(BK4819_REG_29, (BK4819_ReadRegister(BK4819_REG_29) & ~(3u < 14)) | (compress_ratio < 14));
-
+	// REG_29  <13:7> 86 Compress (AF Tx) 0 dB point (dB)
+	//
+	// REG_29   <6:0> 64 Compress (AF Tx) noise point (dB)
+	//
+//	const uint16_t compress_ratio    = (mode == 1 || mode >= 3) ? 2 : 0;  // 2:1
+//	const uint16_t compress_0dB      = 86;
+//	const uint16_t compress_noise_dB = 64;
+//	BK4819_WriteRegister(BK4819_REG_29, // (BK4819_ReadRegister(BK4819_REG_29) & ~(3u < 14)) | (compress_ratio < 14));
+//		  (compress_ratio    < 14)
+//		| (compress_0dB      <  7)
+//		| (compress_noise_dB <  0));
+ 
 	// set the expander ratio
 	//
 	// REG_28 <15:14> 01 Expander (AF Rx) Ratio
@@ -859,8 +870,17 @@ void BK4819_SetCompander(const unsigned int mode)
 	//                10 = 1:3
 	//                11 = 1:4
 	//
-	const uint16_t expand_ratio = (mode >= 2) ? 3 : 0;   // 1:4
-	BK4819_WriteRegister(BK4819_REG_28, (BK4819_ReadRegister(BK4819_REG_28) & ~(3u < 14)) | (expand_ratio < 14));
+	// REG_28  <13:7> 86 Expander (AF Rx) 0 dB point (dB)
+	//
+	// REG_28   <6:0> 56 Expander (AF Rx) noise point (dB)
+	//
+//	const uint16_t expand_ratio    = (mode >= 2) ? 1 : 0;   // 1:2
+//	const uint16_t expand_0dB      = 86;
+//	const uint16_t expand_noise_dB = 56;
+//	BK4819_WriteRegister(BK4819_REG_28, // (BK4819_ReadRegister(BK4819_REG_28) & ~(3u < 14)) | (expand_ratio < 14));
+//		  (expand_ratio    < 14)
+//		| (expand_0dB      <  7)
+//		| (expand_noise_dB <  0));
 }
 
 void BK4819_DisableVox(void)
diff --git a/firmware.bin b/firmware.bin
index 7b670ec..01a16ca 100644
Binary files a/firmware.bin and b/firmware.bin differ
diff --git a/firmware.packed.bin b/firmware.packed.bin
index 375e12c..1541aad 100644
Binary files a/firmware.packed.bin and b/firmware.packed.bin differ
diff --git a/functions.c b/functions.c
index e95f9ce..232a01b 100644
--- a/functions.c
+++ b/functions.c
@@ -74,6 +74,8 @@ void FUNCTION_Init(void)
 	#ifdef ENABLE_NOAA
 		gNOAACountdown_10ms = 0;
 	#endif
+
+	gUpdateStatus = true;
 }
 
 void FUNCTION_Select(FUNCTION_Type_t Function)
@@ -113,6 +115,7 @@ void FUNCTION_Select(FUNCTION_Type_t Function)
 			if (gDTMF_CallState == DTMF_CALL_STATE_CALL_OUT || gDTMF_CallState == DTMF_CALL_STATE_RECEIVED)
 				gDTMF_AUTO_RESET_TIME = 1 + (gEeprom.DTMF_AUTO_RESET_TIME * 2);
 
+			gUpdateStatus = true;
 			return;
 	
 		case FUNCTION_MONITOR:
@@ -186,6 +189,8 @@ void FUNCTION_Select(FUNCTION_Type_t Function)
 				}
 			#endif
 			
+			gUpdateStatus = true;
+
 			GUI_DisplayScreen();
 
 			RADIO_SetTxParameters();
diff --git a/radio.c b/radio.c
index 6cc9584..22c67e7 100644
--- a/radio.c
+++ b/radio.c
@@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ void RADIO_SetupRegisters(bool bSwitchToFunction0)
 	#endif
 	{
 		if (gRxVfo->AM_mode == 0)
-		{
+		{	// FM
 			uint8_t CodeType = gSelectedCodeType;
 			uint8_t Code     = gSelectedCode;
 			if (gCssScanMode == CSS_SCAN_MODE_OFF)
@@ -939,8 +939,8 @@ void RADIO_PrepareTX(void)
 			}
 			else
 		#endif
-		if (!gSetting_TX_EN)
-		{	// TX is disabled
+		if (!gSetting_TX_EN || gSerialConfigCountDown_500ms > 0)
+		{	// TX is disabled or config upload/download in progress
 			State = VFO_STATE_TX_DISABLE;
 		}
 		else
diff --git a/ui/main.c b/ui/main.c
index 17638c9..12560ee 100644
--- a/ui/main.c
+++ b/ui/main.c
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ void UI_DisplayMain(void)
 		const bool         same_vfo   = (channel == vfo_num) ? true : false;
 		uint8_t           *p_line0    = gFrameBuffer[line + 0];
 		uint8_t           *p_line1    = gFrameBuffer[line + 1];
-		uint32_t           duff_beer  = 0;
+		uint8_t            mode       = 0;
 		uint8_t            state;
 
 		if (single_vfo)
@@ -422,23 +422,36 @@ void UI_DisplayMain(void)
 
 			#ifdef ENABLE_ALARM
 				if (gAlarmState == ALARM_STATE_ALARM)
-					duff_beer = 2;
+					mode = 2;
 				else
 			#endif
 			{
 				channel = (gEeprom.CROSS_BAND_RX_TX == CROSS_BAND_OFF) ? gEeprom.RX_CHANNEL : gEeprom.TX_CHANNEL;
 				if (channel == vfo_num)
 				{	// show the TX symbol
-					duff_beer = 1;
-					UI_PrintStringSmall("TX", 14, 0, line);
+					mode = 1;
+					#ifdef ENABLE_SMALL_BOLD
+						UI_PrintStringSmallBold("TX", 14, 0, line);
+					#else
+						UI_PrintStringSmall("TX", 14, 0, line);
+					#endif
 				}
 			}
 		}
 		else
 		{	// receiving .. show the RX symbol
-			duff_beer = 2;
-			if ((gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_RECEIVE || gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_MONITOR) && gEeprom.RX_CHANNEL == vfo_num)
-				UI_PrintStringSmall("RX", 14, 0, line);
+			mode = 2;
+			if ((gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_RECEIVE ||
+			     gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_MONITOR ||
+			     gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_INCOMING) &&
+			     gEeprom.RX_CHANNEL == vfo_num)
+			{
+				#ifdef ENABLE_SMALL_BOLD
+					UI_PrintStringSmallBold("RX", 14, 0, line);
+				#else
+					UI_PrintStringSmall("RX", 14, 0, line);
+				#endif
+			}
 		}
 
 		if (IS_MR_CHANNEL(gEeprom.ScreenChannel[vfo_num]))
@@ -610,7 +623,7 @@ void UI_DisplayMain(void)
 		{	// show the TX/RX level
 			uint8_t Level = 0;
 
-			if (duff_beer == 1)
+			if (mode == 1)
 			{	// TX power level
 				switch (gRxVfo->OUTPUT_POWER)
 				{
@@ -620,7 +633,7 @@ void UI_DisplayMain(void)
 				}
 			}
 			else
-			if (duff_beer == 2)
+			if (mode == 2)
 			{	// RX signal level
 				#ifndef ENABLE_RSSI_BAR
 					// bar graph
@@ -657,7 +670,7 @@ void UI_DisplayMain(void)
 		}
 		else
 		{	// or show the CTCSS/DCS symbol
-			const FREQ_Config_t *pConfig = (duff_beer == 1) ? gEeprom.VfoInfo[vfo_num].pTX : gEeprom.VfoInfo[vfo_num].pRX;
+			const FREQ_Config_t *pConfig = (mode == 1) ? gEeprom.VfoInfo[vfo_num].pTX : gEeprom.VfoInfo[vfo_num].pRX;
 			const unsigned int code_type = pConfig->CodeType;
 			const char *code_list[] = {"", "CT", "DCS", "DCR"};
 			if (code_type >= 0 && code_type < ARRAY_SIZE(code_list))
diff --git a/ui/status.c b/ui/status.c
index 4eb5528..3db670e 100644
--- a/ui/status.c
+++ b/ui/status.c
@@ -45,12 +45,26 @@ void UI_DisplayStatus(const bool test_display)
 	// **************
 
 	// POWER-SAVE indicator
+	if (gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_TRANSMIT)
+	{
+		memmove(line + x, BITMAP_TX, sizeof(BITMAP_TX));
+		x1 = x + sizeof(BITMAP_TX);
+	}
+	else
+	if (gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_RECEIVE ||
+	    gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_MONITOR ||
+	    gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_INCOMING)
+	{
+		memmove(line + x, BITMAP_RX, sizeof(BITMAP_RX));
+		x1 = x + sizeof(BITMAP_RX);
+	}
+	else
 	if (gCurrentFunction == FUNCTION_POWER_SAVE || test_display)
 	{
-		memmove(line + x, BITMAP_PowerSave, sizeof(BITMAP_PowerSave));
-		x1 = x + sizeof(BITMAP_PowerSave);
+		memmove(line + x, BITMAP_POWERSAVE, sizeof(BITMAP_POWERSAVE));
+		x1 = x + sizeof(BITMAP_POWERSAVE);
 	}
-	x += sizeof(BITMAP_PowerSave);
+	x += sizeof(BITMAP_POWERSAVE);
 
 	#ifdef ENABLE_NOAA
 		// NOASS SCAN indicator