diff --git a/internal/cat/omnirig.go b/internal/cat/omnirig.go
index 7fb0853..f4c430a 100644
--- a/internal/cat/omnirig.go
+++ b/internal/cat/omnirig.go
@@ -67,6 +67,10 @@ type OmniRig struct {
 	splitFlaky      bool
 	splitFlips      int
 	splitFlipWindow time.Time
+
+	// pendingReadback schedules one delayed frequency log after a Set — see
+	// SetFrequency. Zero when nothing is pending.
+	pendingReadback time.Time
 }
 
 // NewOmniRig creates a non-connected backend. Call Connect before use.
@@ -328,6 +332,14 @@ func (o *OmniRig) ReadState() (RigState, error) {
 	}
 	s.FreqHz, s.RxFreqHz, s.Split = resolveOmniRigVFOs(o.rigType, freqMain, freqA, freqB, vfo, splitRaw, splitRecentOn)
 
+	// Delayed readback after a Set (see SetFrequency): logged from HERE because
+	// this runs on the COM-owning goroutine. One line, once per set.
+	if !o.pendingReadback.IsZero() && time.Now().After(o.pendingReadback) {
+		o.pendingReadback = time.Time{}
+		debugLog.Printf("OmniRig.SetFrequency: readback +1.5s FreqA=%d FreqB=%d Freq=%d → shown %d",
+			freqA, freqB, freqMain, s.FreqHz)
+	}
+
 	// Diagnostic logged ONLY when Split or VFO changes (not on a timer), so normal
 	// operation stays quiet but toggling split or SUB VFO on the radio is
 	// captured. It logs the RESOLVED tx/rx/split too: with the raw values alone a
@@ -517,21 +529,31 @@ func (o *OmniRig) SetFrequency(hz int64) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Read back all three immediately. OmniRig is async (the CAT command is
-	// queued + sent over serial), so these may still show the OLD value for
-	// one poll cycle — but if they NEVER change in the next poll, the rig
-	// isn't honouring the write (wrong .ini WRITE command for this model).
-	fa, fb, fg := int64(-1), int64(-1), int64(-1)
-	if v, err := oleutil.GetProperty(o.rig, "FreqA"); err == nil {
-		fa = v.Val
+	// Read back all three, then AGAIN a moment later. OmniRig is async — the CAT
+	// command is queued and sent over serial — so an immediate read always shows
+	// the old value and proves nothing. The delayed one is the useful half: it
+	// separates "the rig ignored the write" from "the rig moved but its .ini
+	// never re-reads the frequency", which look identical to an operator whose
+	// display stays on the old band until they nudge the VFO.
+	//
+	// Off the CAT goroutine so the poll loop is not held for a second. COM is
+	// thread-affine, so the delayed read goes through the manager's own command
+	// channel rather than touching o.rig from here.
+	logFreqs := func(when string) {
+		fa, fb, fg := int64(-1), int64(-1), int64(-1)
+		if v, err := oleutil.GetProperty(o.rig, "FreqA"); err == nil {
+			fa = v.Val
+		}
+		if v, err := oleutil.GetProperty(o.rig, "FreqB"); err == nil {
+			fb = v.Val
+		}
+		if v, err := oleutil.GetProperty(o.rig, "Freq"); err == nil {
+			fg = v.Val
+		}
+		debugLog.Printf("OmniRig.SetFrequency: readback %s FreqA=%d FreqB=%d Freq=%d (target %d)", when, fa, fb, fg, hz)
 	}
-	if v, err := oleutil.GetProperty(o.rig, "FreqB"); err == nil {
-		fb = v.Val
-	}
-	if v, err := oleutil.GetProperty(o.rig, "Freq"); err == nil {
-		fg = v.Val
-	}
-	debugLog.Printf("OmniRig.SetFrequency: readback FreqA=%d FreqB=%d Freq=%d (target %d)", fa, fb, fg, hz)
+	logFreqs("now")
+	o.pendingReadback = time.Now().Add(1500 * time.Millisecond)
 	return nil
 }