diff --git a/src/trx-server/src/rig_task.rs b/src/trx-server/src/rig_task.rs
index b7c63cb..d565688 100644
--- a/src/trx-server/src/rig_task.rs
+++ b/src/trx-server/src/rig_task.rs
@@ -254,17 +254,18 @@ pub async fn run_rig_task(
     );
     let _ = state_tx.send(state.clone());
 
-    // SDR backends can refresh signal strength cheaply (cached DSP value),
-    // so we run a fast meter tick between full polls to keep the S-meter
-    // responsive — matching the spectrum redraw rate (~100 ms).
+    // Run a fast meter tick between full polls to keep the S-meter
+    // responsive. SDR backends expose a cached DSP reading and can
+    // refresh every 100 ms; CAT rigs poll the serial link, which is
+    // slower but still fine at ~150 ms.
     let is_sdr = rig.as_sdr_ref().is_some();
-    let meter_tick_duration = Duration::from_millis(100);
-    let mut meter_tick: std::pin::Pin<Box<tokio::time::Sleep>> = if is_sdr {
-        Box::pin(tokio::time::sleep(meter_tick_duration))
+    let meter_tick_duration = if is_sdr {
+        Duration::from_millis(100)
     } else {
-        // Park indefinitely for non-SDR backends; the branch will never fire.
-        Box::pin(tokio::time::sleep(Duration::from_secs(86400)))
+        Duration::from_millis(150)
     };
+    let mut meter_tick: std::pin::Pin<Box<tokio::time::Sleep>> =
+        Box::pin(tokio::time::sleep(meter_tick_duration));
 
     // Main task loop
     let mut current_poll_duration = polling.interval(state.status.tx_en);
@@ -289,11 +290,24 @@ pub async fn run_rig_task(
                     Err(_) => break,
                 }
             }
-            // Fast meter-only refresh for SDR backends (cheap cached read).
-            _ = &mut meter_tick, if is_sdr => {
+            // Fast meter-only refresh between full polls.
+            _ = &mut meter_tick => {
                 meter_tick = Box::pin(tokio::time::sleep(meter_tick_duration));
-                if !matches!(state.control.enabled, Some(false)) {
-                    if let Some(db) = rig.get_signal_strength_db().await {
+                // Skip while powered off, transmitting, or while a
+                // full poll is paused (typically just after a CAT write).
+                let powered_off = matches!(state.control.enabled, Some(false));
+                let paused = poll_pause_until
+                    .map(|u| Instant::now() < u)
+                    .unwrap_or(false);
+                if !powered_off && !state.status.tx_en && !paused {
+                    let new_sig = if let Some(db) = rig.get_signal_strength_db().await {
+                        Some(db)
+                    } else if let Ok(meter) = rig.get_signal_strength().await {
+                        Some(map_signal_strength(&state.status.mode, meter))
+                    } else {
+                        None
+                    };
+                    if let Some(db) = new_sig {
                         let prev = state.status.rx.as_ref().and_then(|r| r.sig);
                         if prev != Some(db) {
                             state.status.rx.get_or_insert(RigRxStatus { sig: None }).sig = Some(db);