diff --git a/supervisor/databus.lua b/supervisor/databus.lua
index af90a2c..a474fdb 100644
--- a/supervisor/databus.lua
+++ b/supervisor/databus.lua
@@ -6,10 +6,20 @@ local const = require("scada-common.constants")
 local psil  = require("scada-common.psil")
 local util  = require("scada-common.util")
 
-local pgi  = require("supervisor.panel.pgi")
+local pgi   = require("supervisor.panel.pgi")
 
 local databus = {}
 
+local _dbus = {
+    wd_modem = true,
+    wl_modem = true
+}
+
+-- evaluate and publish system health status
+local function eval_status()
+    databus.ps.publish("status", _dbus.wd_modem and _dbus.wl_modem)
+end
+
 -- databus PSIL
 databus.ps = psil.create()
 
@@ -28,12 +38,18 @@ end
 ---@param has_modem boolean
 function databus.tx_hw_wd_modem(has_modem)
     databus.ps.publish("has_wd_modem", has_modem)
+
+    _dbus.wd_modem = has_modem
+    eval_status()
 end
 
 -- transmit hardware status for the wireless comms modem
 ---@param has_modem boolean
 function databus.tx_hw_wl_modem(has_modem)
     databus.ps.publish("has_wl_modem", has_modem)
+
+    _dbus.wl_modem = has_modem
+    eval_status()
 end
 
 -- transmit PLC firmware version and session connection state
diff --git a/supervisor/panel/front_panel.lua b/supervisor/panel/front_panel.lua
index cae6bce..e1afbe1 100644
--- a/supervisor/panel/front_panel.lua
+++ b/supervisor/panel/front_panel.lua
@@ -58,11 +58,11 @@ local function init(panel, config)
 
     local system = Div{parent=main_page,width=18,height=17,x=2,y=2}
 
-    local on = LED{parent=system,label="STATUS",colors=cpair(colors.green,colors.red)}
+    local status = LED{parent=system,label="STATUS",colors=cpair(colors.green,colors.red)}
     local heartbeat = LED{parent=system,label="HEARTBEAT",colors=ind_grn}
-    on.update(true)
     system.line_break()
 
+    status.register(databus.ps, "status", status.update)
     heartbeat.register(databus.ps, "heartbeat", heartbeat.update)
 
     if config.WirelessModem and config.WiredModem then
diff --git a/supervisor/startup.lua b/supervisor/startup.lua
index 1601f20..f6ad4bc 100644
--- a/supervisor/startup.lua
+++ b/supervisor/startup.lua
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ local supervisor = require("supervisor.supervisor")
 
 local svsessions = require("supervisor.session.svsessions")
 
-local SUPERVISOR_VERSION = "v1.8.0"
+local SUPERVISOR_VERSION = "v1.8.1"
 
 local println = util.println
 local println_ts = util.println_ts