diff --git a/csdr.py b/csdr.py
index 710e641..2bcbac9 100644
--- a/csdr.py
+++ b/csdr.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import subprocess
 import os
 import signal
 import threading
+import math
 from functools import partial
 
 from owrx.kiss import KissClient, DirewolfConfig
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ class dsp(object):
         self.csdr_dynamic_bufsize = False
         self.csdr_print_bufsizes = False
         self.csdr_through = False
-        self.squelch_level = 0
+        self.squelch_level = -150
         self.fft_averages = 50
         self.iqtee = False
         self.iqtee2 = False
@@ -521,13 +522,16 @@ class dsp(object):
     def get_bpf(self):
         return [self.low_cut, self.high_cut]
 
+    def convertToLinear(self, db):
+        return float(math.pow(10, db / 10))
+
     def set_squelch_level(self, squelch_level):
         self.squelch_level = squelch_level
         # no squelch required on digital voice modes
-        actual_squelch = 0 if self.isDigitalVoice() or self.isPacket() else self.squelch_level
+        actual_squelch = -150 if self.isDigitalVoice() or self.isPacket() else self.squelch_level
         if self.running:
             self.modification_lock.acquire()
-            self.squelch_pipe_file.write("%g\n" % (float(actual_squelch)))
+            self.squelch_pipe_file.write("%g\n" % (self.convertToLinear(actual_squelch)))
             self.squelch_pipe_file.flush()
             self.modification_lock.release()
 
diff --git a/htdocs/openwebrx.js b/htdocs/openwebrx.js
index a6b193d..08dd94d 100644
--- a/htdocs/openwebrx.js
+++ b/htdocs/openwebrx.js
@@ -141,9 +141,8 @@ function setSquelchToAuto() {
 }
 
 function updateSquelch() {
-    var sliderValue = parseInt(e("openwebrx-panel-squelch").value);
-    var outputValue = (sliderValue === parseInt(e("openwebrx-panel-squelch").min)) ? 0 : getLinearSmeterValue(sliderValue);
-    ws.send(JSON.stringify({"type": "dspcontrol", "params": {"squelch_level": outputValue}}));
+    var sliderValue = parseInt($("#openwebrx-panel-squelch").val());
+    ws.send(JSON.stringify({"type": "dspcontrol", "params": {"squelch_level": sliderValue}}));
 }
 
 var waterfall_min_level;
@@ -1058,6 +1057,9 @@ function on_ws_recv(evt) {
                         mathbox_waterfall_colors = config['mathbox_waterfall_colors'];
                         mathbox_waterfall_frequency_resolution = config['mathbox_waterfall_frequency_resolution'];
                         mathbox_waterfall_history_length = config['mathbox_waterfall_history_length'];
+                        var sql = Number.isInteger(config['initial_squelch_level']) ? config['initial_squelch_level'] : -150;
+                        $("#openwebrx-panel-squelch").val(sql);
+                        updateSquelch();
 
                         waterfall_init();
                         initialize_demodulator();
diff --git a/owrx/connection.py b/owrx/connection.py
index af0a3ec..a8e33e9 100644
--- a/owrx/connection.py
+++ b/owrx/connection.py
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ class OpenWebRxReceiverClient(Client):
         "mathbox_waterfall_colors",
         "mathbox_waterfall_history_length",
         "mathbox_waterfall_frequency_resolution",
+        "initial_squelch_level",
     ]
 
     def __init__(self, conn):