diff --git a/data_handler.py b/data_handler.py
index 1c1121d4..44be84ed 100644
--- a/data_handler.py
+++ b/data_handler.py
@@ -501,8 +501,8 @@ async def arq_open_data_channel():
     connection_frame[12:13] = bytes([static.ARQ_DATA_CHANNEL_MODE])
 
     while not static.ARQ_READY_FOR_DATA:
-        for attempt in range(0,3):
-            logging.info("DATA [" + str(static.MYCALLSIGN, 'utf-8') + "]>> <<[" + str(static.DXCALLSIGN, 'utf-8') + "] A:[" + str(attempt + 1) + "/" + str(3) + "]")
+        for attempt in range(0,static.ARQ_OPEN_DATA_CHANNEL_RETRIES):
+            logging.info("DATA [" + str(static.MYCALLSIGN, 'utf-8') + "]>> <<[" + str(static.DXCALLSIGN, 'utf-8') + "] A:[" + str(attempt + 1) + "/" + str(static.ARQ_OPEN_DATA_CHANNEL_RETRIES) + "]")
             modem.transmit_signalling(connection_frame)
             while static.CHANNEL_STATE == 'SENDING_SIGNALLING':
                 time.sleep(0.01)
@@ -513,7 +513,11 @@ async def arq_open_data_channel():
                 if static.ARQ_READY_FOR_DATA:
                     break
             if static.ARQ_READY_FOR_DATA:
-                break        
+                break
+            
+            if not static.ARQ_READY_FOR_DATA and attempt + 1 == static.ARQ_OPEN_DATA_CHANNEL_RETRIES:
+                logging.info("DATA [" + str(static.MYCALLSIGN, 'utf-8') + "]>>X<<[" + str(static.DXCALLSIGN, 'utf-8') + "]")
+                sys.exit()
 
 
 def arq_received_data_channel_opener(data_in):
diff --git a/static.py b/static.py
index 4fd938c9..d67c0025 100644
--- a/static.py
+++ b/static.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ AUDIO_RMS = 0
 # ---------------------------------
 
 # ARQ DEFAULTS
-TX_N_MAX_RETRIES = 2
+TX_N_MAX_RETRIES = 3
 TX_N_RETRIES = 0
 
 ARQ_TX_N_FRAMES_PER_BURST = 0
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ CHANNEL_STATE = 'RECEIVING_SIGNALLING'
 TNC_STATE = 'IDLE'
 
 # MODE FOR SENDING AN RECEIVING DATA DURING ARQ SESSION
+ARQ_OPEN_DATA_CHANNEL_RETRIES = 3
 ARQ_READY_FOR_DATA = False
 ARQ_DATA_CHANNEL_MODE = 0
 ARQ_DATA_CHANNEL_LAST_RECEIVED = 0