diff --git a/apps/modes_gui b/apps/modes_gui
index 6de66c2..8182aa3 100755
--- a/apps/modes_gui
+++ b/apps/modes_gui
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ class mainwindow(QtGui.QMainWindow):
         #should round to actual achieved gain
         self.ui.line_gain.insert("30")
 
-        #default to 3dB
-        self.ui.line_threshold.insert("3")
+        #default to 5dB
+        self.ui.line_threshold.insert("5")
 
         self.ui.prog_rssi.setMinimum(-40)
         self.ui.prog_rssi.setMaximum(0)
diff --git a/apps/modes_rx b/apps/modes_rx
index 18313d1..9eba395 100755
--- a/apps/modes_rx
+++ b/apps/modes_rx
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
                       help="set RF gain", metavar="dB")
   parser.add_option("-r", "--rate", type="eng_float", default=4000000,
                       help="set ADC sample rate [default=%default]")
-  parser.add_option("-T", "--threshold", type="eng_float", default=3.0,
+  parser.add_option("-T", "--threshold", type="eng_float", default=5.0,
                       help="set pulse detection threshold above noise in dB [default=%default]")
   parser.add_option("-a","--output-all", action="store_true", default=False,
                       help="output all frames")
diff --git a/lib/air_modes_preamble.cc b/lib/air_modes_preamble.cc
index 157707a..deab73b 100644
--- a/lib/air_modes_preamble.cc
+++ b/lib/air_modes_preamble.cc
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ air_modes_preamble::air_modes_preamble(int channel_rate, float threshold_db) :
 	d_samples_per_symbol = d_samples_per_chip * 2;
 	d_check_width = 120 * d_samples_per_symbol; //only search to this far from the end of the stream buffer
 	d_threshold_db = threshold_db;
-	d_threshold = powf(10., threshold_db/10.); //the level that the sample must be above the moving average in order to qualify as a pulse
+	d_threshold = powf(10., threshold_db/20.); //the level that the sample must be above the moving average in order to qualify as a pulse
 	d_secs_per_sample = 1.0 / channel_rate;
 	set_output_multiple(1+d_check_width*2);
 	
diff --git a/lib/air_modes_slicer.cc b/lib/air_modes_slicer.cc
index c6519aa..48ea8b0 100644
--- a/lib/air_modes_slicer.cc
+++ b/lib/air_modes_slicer.cc
@@ -65,8 +65,8 @@ static slice_result_t slicer(const float bit0, const float bit1, const float ref
 	slice_result_t result;
 
 	//3dB limits for bit slicing and confidence measurement
-	float highlimit=ref*2;
-	float lowlimit=ref*0.5;
+	float highlimit=ref*1.414;
+	float lowlimit=ref*0.707;
 	
 	bool firstchip_inref  = ((bit0 > lowlimit) && (bit0 < highlimit));
 	bool secondchip_inref = ((bit1 > lowlimit) && (bit1 < highlimit));