diff --git a/fldigi_doxygen/user_src_docs/rigxml.txt b/fldigi_doxygen/user_src_docs/rigxml.txt
index c67f6585..441c342a 100644
--- a/fldigi_doxygen/user_src_docs/rigxml.txt
+++ b/fldigi_doxygen/user_src_docs/rigxml.txt
@@ -745,6 +745,16 @@ fldigi will then record critical events as they occur during the execution
 of the rigCAT loop.  Remove the debug statement from the xml when the
 file has been proven and before publishing.
 
+You can test an xml to observe the CAT send sequences by inhibiting the
+actual connection to the serial port.
+
+<NOSERIAL>true/false</NOSERIAL> - default false
+
+The serial i/o events are normally recorded as a sequence of HEX values.  This
+behavior can be changed to record the events as a string of ASCII characters.
+
+<ASCII>true/false</ASCII> - default false
+
 You can use the xml remarks brackets
 <pre>
 \<!--
diff --git a/src/combo/combo.cxx b/src/combo/combo.cxx
index 4331100b..ed070c66 100644
--- a/src/combo/combo.cxx
+++ b/src/combo/combo.cxx
@@ -364,18 +364,20 @@ void Fl_ComboBox::value( const char *s )
 		} else
 			val->value(datalist[idx]->s);
 	} else {
-		insert(s, 0);
-		for (i = 0; i < listsize; i++) {
-			if (strcmp (s, datalist[i]->s) == 0) {
-				idx = i;
-				if (type_ == LISTBOX) {
-					valbox->label(datalist[idx]->s);
-					valbox->redraw_label();
-				} else
+		if (type_ != LISTBOX && !val->readonly()) {
+			insert(s, 0);
+			for (i = 0; i < listsize; i++) {
+				if (strcmp (s, datalist[i]->s) == 0) {
+					idx = i;
 					val->value(datalist[idx]->s);
-				break;
+					break;
+				}
 			}
-		}
+		} else if (type_ == LISTBOX) {
+			valbox->label("");
+			valbox->redraw_label();
+		} else
+			val->value("");
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/src/dialogs/fl_digi.cxx b/src/dialogs/fl_digi.cxx
index b73be43b..ce05bbaa 100644
--- a/src/dialogs/fl_digi.cxx
+++ b/src/dialogs/fl_digi.cxx
@@ -5476,7 +5476,7 @@ static void add_docked(dockgroup *dock)
 
 void cb_meters(void *)
 {
-	rigCAT_get_pwrlevel();
+	if (!rigCAT_active()) return;
 	pwrlevel_grp->show();
 }
 
@@ -5711,6 +5711,7 @@ void create_fl_digi_main_primary() {
 				qso_opMODE->callback((Fl_Callback*)cb_qso_opMODE);
 				qso_opMODE->align(FL_ALIGN_TOP);
 				qso_opMODE->when(FL_WHEN_RELEASE);
+				qso_opMODE->readonly(true);
 				qso_opMODE->end();
 
 				qso_opBW = new Fl_ComboBox(
@@ -5727,6 +5728,7 @@ void create_fl_digi_main_primary() {
 				qso_opBW->callback((Fl_Callback*)cb_qso_opBW);
 				qso_opBW->align(FL_ALIGN_TOP);
 				qso_opBW->when(FL_WHEN_RELEASE);
+				qso_opBW->readonly(true);
 				qso_opBW->end();
 
 				qso_opGROUP = new Fl_Group(
diff --git a/src/include/rigio.h b/src/include/rigio.h
index a49964fe..1d82e60e 100644
--- a/src/include/rigio.h
+++ b/src/include/rigio.h
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ extern void rigCAT_get_pwrlevel();
 
 extern void rigCAT_close();
 extern bool rigCAT_init();
+extern bool rigCAT_active();
 extern void rigCAT_sendINIT(const std::string& icmd, int multiplier = 1);
 
 extern void rigCAT_set_ptt(int);
diff --git a/src/include/rigxml.h b/src/include/rigxml.h
index 37edd7eb..718cded7 100644
--- a/src/include/rigxml.h
+++ b/src/include/rigxml.h
@@ -130,6 +130,9 @@ struct XMLRIG {
 	vector< PAIR >pwrlevel;
 
 	bool	debug;
+	bool	noserial;
+	bool	ascii;
+	bool	xmlok;
 
 	void clear() {
 		port.clear();
@@ -155,6 +158,9 @@ struct XMLRIG {
 		pollinterval = 100;
 
 		debug = false;
+		noserial = false;
+		ascii = false;
+		xmlok = false;
 
 		use_smeter = false;
 		use_pwrmeter = false;
diff --git a/src/rigcontrol/rigio.cxx b/src/rigcontrol/rigio.cxx
index 197e3bcb..9fe48836 100644
--- a/src/rigcontrol/rigio.cxx
+++ b/src/rigcontrol/rigio.cxx
@@ -63,8 +63,6 @@ static string		sRigWidth = "";
 static string		sRigMode = "";
 static long long	llFreq = 0;
 
-//static bool nonCATrig = false;
-
 static void *rigCAT_loop(void *args);
 
 #define RXBUFFSIZE 2000
@@ -89,7 +87,14 @@ bool sendCommand (string s, int retnbr, int waitval)
 			1000.0 / rigio.Baud() );
 
 	if (xmlrig.debug)
-		LOG_INFO("%s", str2hex(s.data(), s.length()));
+		LOG_INFO("%s",
+			xmlrig.ascii ? s.c_str() : str2hex(s.data(), s.length()));
+
+	if (xmlrig.noserial) {
+		memset(replybuff, 0, RXBUFFSIZE + 1);
+		numread = 0;
+		return true;
+	}
 
 	retval = rigio.WriteBuffer((unsigned char *)s.c_str(), numwrite);
 	if (retval <= 0)
@@ -116,7 +121,8 @@ bool sendCommand (string s, int retnbr, int waitval)
 		numread++;
 	}
 	if (xmlrig.debug)
-		LOG_INFO("reply %s", str2hex(replybuff, numread));
+		LOG_INFO("reply %s",
+			xmlrig.ascii ? (const char *)(replybuff) : str2hex(replybuff, numread));
 	if (numread > retnbr) {
 		memmove(replybuff, replybuff + numread - retnbr, retnbr);
 		numread = retnbr;
@@ -322,7 +328,7 @@ long long rigCAT_getfreq(int retries, bool &failed, int waitval)
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "GETFREQ";
 	failed = false;
-	if (rigCAT_exit) {
+	if (rigCAT_exit || xmlrig.noserial || !xmlrig.xmlok) {
 		failed = true;
 		return progStatus.noCATfreq;
 	}
@@ -434,8 +440,10 @@ retry_get_freq: ;
 void rigCAT_setfreq(long long f)
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "SETFREQ";
-	if (rigCAT_exit)
-		return;
+	if (rigCAT_exit || xmlrig.noserial || !xmlrig.xmlok) {
+		progStatus.noCATfreq = f;
+	}
+	if (rigCAT_exit || !xmlrig.xmlok) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
 	list<XMLIOS>::iterator itrCmd;
@@ -494,7 +502,8 @@ string rigCAT_getmode()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "GETMODE";
 
-	if (rigCAT_exit) return "";
+	if (rigCAT_exit || xmlrig.noserial || !xmlrig.xmlok)
+		return progStatus.noCATmode;
 
 //	guard_lock ser_guard( &rigCAT_mutex );
 
@@ -608,7 +617,11 @@ void rigCAT_setmode(const string& md)
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "SETMODE";
 
-	if (rigCAT_exit) return;
+
+	if (rigCAT_exit || xmlrig.noserial || !xmlrig.xmlok)
+		progStatus.noCATmode = md;
+
+	if (rigCAT_exit || !xmlrig.xmlok) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
 	list<XMLIOS>::iterator itrCmd;
@@ -622,10 +635,8 @@ void rigCAT_setmode(const string& md)
 	}
 	modeCmd = *itrCmd;
 
-	if ( modeCmd.str1.empty() == false) {
-		if (xmlrig.debug) LOG_INFO("%s not defined", symbol);
+	if ( modeCmd.str1.empty() == false)
 		strCmd.append(modeCmd.str1);
-	}
 
 	if ( modeCmd.data.size > 0 ) {
 		list<MODE>::iterator mode;
@@ -679,8 +690,8 @@ void rigCAT_setmode(const string& md)
 string rigCAT_getwidth()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "GETBW";
-	
-	if (rigCAT_exit)
+
+	if (rigCAT_exit || xmlrig.noserial || !xmlrig.xmlok)
 		return progStatus.noCATwidth;
 
 	XMLIOS widthCmd;
@@ -700,7 +711,7 @@ string rigCAT_getwidth()
 		if (xmlrig.debug) LOG_INFO("%s not defined", symbol);
 		return "";
 	}
-	
+
 	widthCmd = *itrCmd;
 
 	if ( widthCmd.str1.empty() == false)
@@ -801,9 +812,11 @@ retry_get_width: ;
 void rigCAT_setwidth(const string& w)
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "SETBW";
-	
-	if (rigCAT_exit)
-		return;
+
+	if (rigCAT_exit || xmlrig.noserial || !xmlrig.xmlok)
+		progStatus.noCATwidth = w;
+
+	if (rigCAT_exit || !xmlrig.xmlok) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
 	list<XMLIOS>::iterator itrCmd;
@@ -876,7 +889,7 @@ void rigCAT_setwidth(const string& w)
 void rigCAT_pttON()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "PTTON";
-	
+
 	if (rigCAT_exit) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
@@ -895,7 +908,7 @@ void rigCAT_pttON()
 		if (xmlrig.debug) LOG_INFO("%s not defined", symbol);
 		return;
 	}
-	
+
 	modeCmd = *itrCmd;
 
 	if ( modeCmd.str1.empty() == false)
@@ -933,7 +946,7 @@ void rigCAT_pttON()
 void rigCAT_pttOFF()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "PTTOFF";
-	
+
 	if (rigCAT_exit) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
@@ -952,7 +965,7 @@ void rigCAT_pttOFF()
 		if (xmlrig.debug) LOG_INFO("%s not defined", symbol);
 		return;
 	}
-	
+
 	modeCmd = *itrCmd;
 
 	if ( modeCmd.str1.empty() == false)
@@ -1151,10 +1164,13 @@ echo	   : %c\n",
 			(rigio.RTSCTS() ? 'T' : 'F'),
 			progdefaults.RigCatECHO ? 'T' : 'F');
 
-	if (rigio.OpenPort() == false) {
-		LOG_ERROR("Cannot open serial port %s", rigio.Device().c_str());
-		return false;
+	if (xmlrig.noserial == false && xmlrig.xmlok) {
+		if (rigio.OpenPort() == false) {
+			LOG_ERROR("Cannot open serial port %s", rigio.Device().c_str());
+			xmlrig.xmlok = true;
+		}
 	}
+
 	sRigMode = "";
 	sRigWidth = "";
 
@@ -1170,21 +1186,27 @@ echo	   : %c\n",
 	rigCAT_sendINIT("INIT", progdefaults.RigCatInitDelay);
 	bool failed = false;
 
-	rigCAT_getfreq(3, failed, progdefaults.RigCatInitDelay);
+	if (xmlrig.noserial)
+		rigCAT_getfreq(1, failed, 0);
+	else if (xmlrig.xmlok) {
+		rigCAT_getfreq(3, failed, progdefaults.RigCatInitDelay);
 
-	if (failed) {
-		LOG_ERROR("*****************Failed to read xcvr frequency");
-		rigio.ClosePort();
-		return false;
+		if (failed) {
+			LOG_ERROR("*****************Failed to read xcvr frequency");
+			if (xmlrig.noserial == false)
+				rigio.ClosePort();
+			xmlrig.xmlok = false;
+		} else
+			LOG_INFO("Passed serial port test");
 	}
 
-	LOG_INFO("Passed serial port test");
-
 	llFreq = 0;
 
 	if (pthread_create(&rigCAT_thread, NULL, rigCAT_loop, NULL) < 0) {
 		LOG_ERROR("%s", "pthread_create failed");
-		rigio.ClosePort();
+		if (xmlrig.xmlok && !xmlrig.noserial)
+			rigio.ClosePort();
+		xmlrig.xmlok = false;
 		return false;
 	}
 
@@ -1321,8 +1343,8 @@ static void rigcat_set_smeter(void *data)
 void rigCAT_get_smeter()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "GET_SMETER";
-	
-	if (rigCAT_exit) return;
+
+	if (rigCAT_exit || xmlrig.noserial) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
 	list<XMLIOS>::iterator itrCmd;
@@ -1468,7 +1490,7 @@ void rigCAT_get_pwrmeter()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "GET_PWRMETER";
 
-	if (rigCAT_exit) return;
+	if (rigCAT_exit || xmlrig.noserial) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
 	list<XMLIOS>::iterator itrCmd;
@@ -1562,7 +1584,6 @@ static void rigcat_notch(void *data)
 {
 	int val = reinterpret_cast<long>(data);
 	notch_frequency = val;
-//	printf("notch value %d\n", val);
 }
 
 int notch_data(DATA d, size_t p)
@@ -1633,7 +1654,7 @@ int notch_val(int freq)
 bool rigCAT_notchON()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "GET_NOTCH_ON";
-	
+
 	if (rigCAT_exit) return 0;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
@@ -1704,7 +1725,7 @@ bool rigCAT_notchON()
 void rigCAT_get_notch()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "GET_NOTCH";
-	
+
 	if (rigCAT_exit) return;
 
 	if (!rigCAT_notchON()) {
@@ -1794,7 +1815,7 @@ void rigCAT_get_notch()
 // convert the data field
 	ntch = notch_data(rTemp.data, pData);
 	if (xmlrig.debug) LOG_INFO("%s converted to %d", symbol, (int)ntch);
-	
+
 	REQ(rigcat_notch, reinterpret_cast<void *>(ntch));
 
 }
@@ -1802,7 +1823,7 @@ void rigCAT_get_notch()
 void rigCAT_notch_ON()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "SET_NOTCH_ON";
-	
+
 	if (rigCAT_exit) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
@@ -1819,7 +1840,7 @@ void rigCAT_notch_ON()
 		if (xmlrig.debug) LOG_INFO("%s not defined", symbol);
 		return;
 	}
-	
+
 	modeCmd = *itrCmd;
 
 	if ( modeCmd.str1.empty() == false)
@@ -1857,7 +1878,7 @@ void rigCAT_notch_ON()
 void rigCAT_notch_OFF()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "SET_NOTCH_OFF";
-	
+
 	if (rigCAT_exit) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
@@ -1874,7 +1895,7 @@ void rigCAT_notch_OFF()
 		if (xmlrig.debug) LOG_INFO("%s not defined", symbol);
 		return;
 	}
-	
+
 	modeCmd = *itrCmd;
 
 	if ( modeCmd.str1.empty() == false)
@@ -1912,7 +1933,7 @@ void rigCAT_notch_OFF()
 void rigCAT_set_notch(int freq)
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "SET_NOTCH_VAL";
-	
+
 	if (rigCAT_exit) return;
 
 	if (!freq) {
@@ -2041,7 +2062,7 @@ int pwrlevel_val(int pwr)
 	size_t n;
 	int val1, val2, pwr1, pwr2;
 	for (n = 0; n < xmlrig.pwrlevel.size() - 1; n++) {
-		if ((pwr > xmlrig.pwrlevel[n].mtr) && (pwr <= xmlrig.pwrlevel[n+1].mtr))
+		if ((pwr >= xmlrig.pwrlevel[n].mtr) && (pwr <= xmlrig.pwrlevel[n+1].mtr))
 			break;
 	}
 	if (n == xmlrig.pwrlevel.size() - 1)
@@ -2060,19 +2081,33 @@ int pwrlevel_val(int pwr)
 
 }
 
-// called by main UI loop
+// called by rigio thread
+// must use REQ(...) to set the power level control
+
+static void rigCAT_update_pwrlevel(void *v)
+{
+	long pwr = reinterpret_cast<long>(v);
+	char szpwr[10];
+	snprintf(szpwr, sizeof(szpwr), "%ld", pwr);
+	progdefaults.mytxpower = szpwr;
+
+	inpMyPower->value(szpwr);
+	pwr_level->value(pwr);
+
+	if (xmlrig.debug) LOG_INFO("Read power level %s", szpwr);
+}
 
 void rigCAT_get_pwrlevel()
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "GET_PWRLEVEL";
-	
-	if (rigCAT_exit || !xmlrig.use_pwrlevel) return;
+
+	if (rigCAT_exit || xmlrig.noserial || !xmlrig.xmlok) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
 	list<XMLIOS>::iterator itrCmd;
 	string strCmd;
 	size_t p = 0, len1 = 0, len2 = 0, pData = 0;
-	int pwr = 0;
+	long pwr = 0;
 
 	itrCmd = commands.begin();
 	while (itrCmd != commands.end()) {
@@ -2153,22 +2188,13 @@ void rigCAT_get_pwrlevel()
 // convert the data field
 	pwr = pwrlevel_data(rTemp.data, pData);
 
-	pwr_level->value(pwr);
-
-// set logging values
-
-	char szpwr[10];
-	snprintf(szpwr, sizeof(szpwr), "%d", pwr);
-	progdefaults.mytxpower = szpwr;
-	inpMyPower->value(szpwr);
-
-	if (xmlrig.debug) LOG_INFO("Read power level %s", szpwr);
+	REQ(rigCAT_update_pwrlevel, (void *)pwr);
 }
 
 void rigCAT_set_pwrlevel(int pwr)
 {
 	const char symbol[] = "SET_PWRLEVEL";
-	
+
 	if (rigCAT_exit || !xmlrig.use_pwrlevel) return;
 
 	XMLIOS modeCmd;
@@ -2300,7 +2326,10 @@ static void *rigCAT_loop(void *args)
 				show_mode(sMode);
 			}
 
+			if (xmlrig.use_pwrlevel) rigCAT_get_pwrlevel();
+
 			if (xmlrig.use_smeter) rigCAT_get_smeter();
+
 			if (xmlrig.use_notch) rigCAT_get_notch();
 
 		} else {
diff --git a/src/rigcontrol/rigsupport.cxx b/src/rigcontrol/rigsupport.cxx
index c6ea34d4..e777c4ab 100644
--- a/src/rigcontrol/rigsupport.cxx
+++ b/src/rigcontrol/rigsupport.cxx
@@ -137,16 +137,19 @@ string modeString(rmode_t m)
 void initOptionMenus()
 {
 	qso_opMODE->clear();
+
 	list<MODE>::iterator MD;
 	list<MODE> *pMD = 0;
+
 	if (lmodes.empty() == false)
 		pMD = &lmodes;
 	else if (lmodeCMD.empty() == false)
 		pMD = &lmodeCMD;
-
+printf("initOptionMenus()\n");
 	if (pMD) {
 		MD = pMD->begin();
 		while (MD != pMD->end()) {
+printf("adding mode: %s\n", (*MD).SYMBOL.c_str());
 			qso_opMODE->add( (*MD).SYMBOL.c_str());
 			MD++;
 		}
@@ -168,6 +171,7 @@ void initOptionMenus()
 	if (pBW) {
 		bw = pBW->begin();
 		while (bw != pBW->end()) {
+printf("adding BW: %s\n", (*bw).SYMBOL.c_str());
 			qso_opBW->add( (*bw).SYMBOL.c_str());
 			bw++;
 		}
@@ -522,7 +526,9 @@ bool init_NoRig_RigDialog()
 	qso_opBW->deactivate();
 	qso_opMODE->clear();
 
+printf("init_NoRig_RigDialog()\n");
 	for (size_t i = 0; i < sizeof(modes)/sizeof(modes[0]); i++) {
+printf("adding %s\n", modes[i].name);
 		qso_opMODE->add(modes[i].name);
 	}
 // list of LSB type modes that various xcvrs report via flrig
diff --git a/src/rigcontrol/rigxml.cxx b/src/rigcontrol/rigxml.cxx
index d02b7fd8..a90c2405 100644
--- a/src/rigcontrol/rigxml.cxx
+++ b/src/rigcontrol/rigxml.cxx
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
 #include "confdialog.h"
 
 #include "icons.h"
+#include "fl_digi.h"
 
 using namespace std;
 
@@ -63,6 +64,8 @@ void parseTITLE(size_t &);
 void parseLSBMODES(size_t &);
 void parseDISCARD(size_t &);
 void parseDEBUG(size_t &);
+void parseNOSERIAL(size_t &);
+void parseASCII(size_t &);
 
 void parseWRITE_DELAY(size_t &);
 void parseINIT_DELAY(size_t &);
@@ -166,6 +169,8 @@ TAGS rigdeftags[] = {
 	{"<NOTCH", parseNOTCH},
 	{"<PWRLEVEL", parsePWRLEVEL},
 	{"<DEBUG", parseDEBUG},
+	{"<NOSERIAL", parseNOSERIAL},
+	{"<ASCII", parseASCII},
 	{0, 0}
 };
 
@@ -546,6 +551,31 @@ void parseDEBUG(size_t &p0){
 	p0 = pend;
 }
 
+//---------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Parse NOSERIAL, use during xml file creation/testing
+// suppresses serial port i/o
+//---------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+void parseNOSERIAL(size_t &p0){
+	bool val = getBool(p0);
+	xmlrig.noserial = val;
+	size_t pend = tagEnd(p0);
+	p0 = pend;
+}
+
+//---------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Parse ASCII, use during xml file creation/testing
+// prints events as ASCII string vice HEX sequence
+//---------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+void parseASCII(size_t &p0){
+	bool val = getBool(p0);
+	xmlrig.ascii = val;
+	size_t pend = tagEnd(p0);
+	p0 = pend;
+}
+
+
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Parse Baudrate, write_delay, post_write_delay, timeout, retries
 // RTSCTS handshake
@@ -763,10 +793,13 @@ void parsePWRLEVEL(size_t &p0) {
 	p0 = pend;
 	xmlrig.pwrlevel.clear();
 	int val, pwr;
+	float min = 500, max = 0;
 	size_t p = strpwrlevel.find(",");
 	while ( !strpwrlevel.empty() && (p != string::npos) ) {
 		val = atoi(&strpwrlevel[0]);
 		pwr = atoi(&strpwrlevel[p+1]);
+		if (pwr < min) min = pwr;
+		if (pwr > max) max = pwr;
 		xmlrig.pwrlevel.push_back(PAIR(val,pwr));
 		p = strpwrlevel.find(";");
 		if (p == string::npos) strpwrlevel.clear();
@@ -775,6 +808,7 @@ void parsePWRLEVEL(size_t &p0) {
 			p = strpwrlevel.find(",");
 		}
 	}
+	pwr_level->range(min, max);
 	xmlrig.use_pwrlevel = true;
 }
 
@@ -1067,6 +1101,7 @@ bool readRigXML()
 		xmlfile.close();
 		if (testXML()) {
 			parseXML();
+			xmlrig.xmlok = true;
 			return true;
 		}
 	}