diff --git a/modem/frame_dispatcher.py b/modem/frame_dispatcher.py
index 6cdb604f..d46dafb6 100644
--- a/modem/frame_dispatcher.py
+++ b/modem/frame_dispatcher.py
@@ -106,14 +106,11 @@ class DISPATCHER():
         self.data_queue_transmit = DATA_QUEUE_TRANSMIT
         self.data_queue_received = DATA_QUEUE_RECEIVED
 
-    def _start_worker_threads(self):
+    def start(self):
         """Starts worker threads for transmit and receive operations."""
         threading.Thread(target=self.worker_transmit, name="Transmit Worker", daemon=True).start()
         threading.Thread(target=self.worker_receive, name="Receive Worker", daemon=True).start()
 
-    def start(self):
-        self._start_worker_threads()
-
     def worker_transmit(self) -> None:
         """Dispatch incoming UI instructions for transmitting operations"""
         while True:
diff --git a/modem/service_manager.py b/modem/service_manager.py
index 457aeecc..d564a0d7 100644
--- a/modem/service_manager.py
+++ b/modem/service_manager.py
@@ -64,28 +64,30 @@ class SM:
         # read config
         self.config = self.app.config_manager.read()
 
+        if self.states.is_modem_running:
+            self.log.warning("modem already running")
+            return False
+
         # test audio devices
         audio_test = self.test_audio()
 
-        if False not in audio_test and None not in audio_test and not self.states.is_modem_running:
-            self.log.info("starting modem....")
-            self.modem = modem.RF(self.config, self.modem_events, self.modem_fft, self.modem_service, self.states)
-            #self.data_handler = data_handler.DATA(self.config, self.modem_events, self.states)
-            self.frame_dispatcher = frame_dispatcher.DISPATCHER(self.config, self.modem_events, self.states)
-            self.frame_dispatcher.start()
-            self.states.set("is_modem_running", True)
-            self.modem.set_FFT_stream(self.enable_fft)
-            return True
-        elif self.states.is_modem_running:
-            self.log.warning("modem already running")
-            return False
-        
-        else:
+        if False in audio_test or None in audio_test or self.states.is_modem_running:
             self.log.warning("starting modem failed", input_test=audio_test[0], output_test=audio_test[1])
             self.states.set("is_modem_running", False)
-            self.modem_events.put(json.dumps({"freedata": "modem-event", "event": "failed"}))
+            self.modem_events.put({"freedata": "modem-event", "event": "failed"})
             return False
 
+        self.log.info("starting modem....")
+        self.modem = modem.RF(self.config, self.modem_events, self.modem_fft, self.modem_service, self.states)
+
+        self.frame_dispatcher = frame_dispatcher.DISPATCHER(self.config, self.modem_events, self.states)
+        self.frame_dispatcher.start()
+
+        self.states.set("is_modem_running", True)
+        self.modem.set_FFT_stream(self.enable_fft)
+
+        return True
+        
     def stop_modem(self):
         self.log.info("stopping modem....")
         del self.modem