diff --git a/yaesu/newcat.c b/yaesu/newcat.c
index e56fe2b66..3aae3597e 100644
--- a/yaesu/newcat.c
+++ b/yaesu/newcat.c
@@ -355,6 +355,9 @@ int newcat_open(RIG *rig)
     rig_debug(RIG_DEBUG_TRACE, "%s: post_write_delay = %i msec\n",
               __func__, rig_s->rigport.post_write_delay);
 
+    /* Ensure rig is powered on */
+    rig_set_powerstat(rig, 1);
+
     /* get current AI state so it can be restored */
     priv->trn_state = -1;
 
diff --git a/yaesu/newcat.h b/yaesu/newcat.h
index ee29d4709..8fcf77bf3 100644
--- a/yaesu/newcat.h
+++ b/yaesu/newcat.h
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 typedef char ncboolean;
 
 /* shared function version */
-#define NEWCAT_VER "0.24"
+#define NEWCAT_VER "0.25"
 
 /* Hopefully large enough for future use, 128 chars plus '\0' */
 #define NEWCAT_DATA_LEN                 129