diff --git a/internal/spe/spe.go b/internal/spe/spe.go
index f0a9c2f..814adef 100644
--- a/internal/spe/spe.go
+++ b/internal/spe/spe.go
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"go.bug.st/serial"
+
+	"hamlog/internal/applog"
 )
 
 const (
@@ -77,6 +79,7 @@ type Client struct {
 
 	statusMu sync.RWMutex
 	status   Status
+	lastRaw  string // last raw status payload logged (log only on change)
 
 	stop    chan struct{}
 	running bool
@@ -268,6 +271,12 @@ func (c *Client) decodeCSV(payload string) {
 
 	c.statusMu.Lock()
 	defer c.statusMu.Unlock()
+	// Log the raw status frame ONCE per change, so field alignment can be verified
+	// against real hardware (the doc's 19-field layout may differ per firmware).
+	if payload != c.lastRaw {
+		c.lastRaw = payload
+		applog.Printf("spe: status raw=%q fields=%d", payload, len(f))
+	}
 	c.status.Connected = true
 	c.status.LastError = ""
 	c.status.Model = get(0)