diff --git a/tnc/modem.py b/tnc/modem.py
index 2b272b20..c7c59eb8 100644
--- a/tnc/modem.py
+++ b/tnc/modem.py
@@ -580,12 +580,19 @@ class RF:
                     audiobuffer.pop(nin)
                     nin = codec2.api.freedv_nin(freedv)
                     if nbytes == bytes_per_frame:
-                        self.log.debug(
-                            "[MDM] [demod_audio] Pushing received data to received_queue"
-                        )
-                        self.modem_received_queue.put([bytes_out, freedv, bytes_per_frame])
-                        self.get_scatter(freedv)
-                        self.calculate_snr(freedv)
+                        # process commands only if static.LISTEN = True
+                        if static.LISTEN:
+                            self.log.debug(
+                                "[MDM] [demod_audio] Pushing received data to received_queue"
+                            )
+                            self.modem_received_queue.put([bytes_out, freedv, bytes_per_frame])
+                            self.get_scatter(freedv)
+                            self.calculate_snr(freedv)
+                        else:
+                            self.log.warning(
+                                "[MDM] [demod_audio] received frame but ignored processing",
+                                listen=static.LISTEN
+                            )
         except Exception as e:
             self.log.warning("[MDM] [demod_audio] Stream not active anymore", e=e)
         return nin
@@ -680,7 +687,6 @@ class RF:
             self.sig1_datac0_bytes_per_frame,
         )
 
-
     def audio_dat0_datac1(self) -> None:
         """Receive data encoded with datac1"""
         self.dat0_datac1_nin = self.demodulate_audio(
diff --git a/tnc/sock.py b/tnc/sock.py
index da9b3d07..720b4b66 100644
--- a/tnc/sock.py
+++ b/tnc/sock.py
@@ -204,6 +204,38 @@ def process_tnc_commands(data):
         # convert data to json object
         received_json = json.loads(data)
         log.debug("[SCK] CMD", command=received_json)
+
+        # ENABLE TNC LISTENING STATE -----------------------------------------------------
+        if received_json["type"] == "set" and received_json["command"] == "listen":
+            try:
+                static.LISTEN = received_json["state"] in ['true', 'True', True, "ON", "on"]
+                command_response("listen", True)
+
+                # if tnc is connected, force disconnect when static.LISTEN == False
+                if not static.LISTEN and static.ARQ_SESSION_STATE not in ["disconnecting", "disconnected", "failed"]:
+                    DATA_QUEUE_TRANSMIT.put(["DISCONNECT"])
+                    # set early disconnecting state so we can interrupt connection attempts
+                    static.ARQ_SESSION_STATE = "disconnecting"
+                    command_response("disconnect", True)
+
+            except Exception as err:
+                command_response("listen", False)
+                log.warning(
+                    "[SCK] CQ command execution error", e=err, command=received_json
+                )
+
+        # SET ENABLE RESPOND TO CQ -----------------------------------------------------
+        if received_json["type"] == "set" and received_json["command"] == "respond_to_cq":
+            try:
+                static.RESPOND_TO_CQ = received_json["state"] in ['true', 'True', True]
+                command_response("respond_to_cq", True)
+
+            except Exception as err:
+                command_response("respond_to_cq", False)
+                log.warning(
+                    "[SCK] CQ command execution error", e=err, command=received_json
+                )
+
         # SET TX AUDIO LEVEL  -----------------------------------------------------
         if (
             received_json["type"] == "set"
@@ -221,18 +253,6 @@ def process_tnc_commands(data):
                     command=received_json,
                 )
 
-        # SET ENABLE RESPOND TO CQ -----------------------------------------------------
-        if received_json["type"] == "set" and received_json["command"] == "respond_to_cq":
-            try:
-                static.RESPOND_TO_CQ = received_json["state"] in ['true', 'True', True]
-                command_response("respond_to_cq", True)
-
-            except Exception as err:
-                command_response("respond_to_cq", False)
-                log.warning(
-                    "[SCK] CQ command execution error", e=err, command=received_json
-                )
-
         # TRANSMIT TEST FRAME  ----------------------------------------------------
         if (
             received_json["type"] == "set"
@@ -372,7 +392,7 @@ def process_tnc_commands(data):
         # DISCONNECT ----------------------------------------------------------
         if received_json["type"] == "arq" and received_json["command"] == "disconnect":
             try:
-                if not static.ARQ_SESSION_STATE in ["disconnecting", "disconnected", "failed"]:
+                if static.ARQ_SESSION_STATE not in ["disconnecting", "disconnected", "failed"]:
                     DATA_QUEUE_TRANSMIT.put(["DISCONNECT"])
 
                     # set early disconnecting state so we can interrupt connection attempts
@@ -558,6 +578,7 @@ def send_tnc_state():
         "dxcallsign": str(static.DXCALLSIGN, encoding),
         "dxgrid": str(static.DXGRID, encoding),
         "hamlib_status": static.HAMLIB_STATUS,
+        "listen": str(static.LISTEN),
     }
 
     # add heard stations to heard stations object
diff --git a/tnc/static.py b/tnc/static.py
index 01144369..4e7cb58a 100644
--- a/tnc/static.py
+++ b/tnc/static.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ SOCKET_TIMEOUT: int = 1  # seconds
 # ---------------------------------
 SERIAL_DEVICES: list = []
 # ---------------------------------
-
+LISTEN: bool = True
 PTT_STATE: bool = False
 TRANSMITTING: bool = False