diff --git a/ammb/meshcore_handler.py b/ammb/meshcore_handler.py
index ea94c31..c0e81b0 100644
--- a/ammb/meshcore_handler.py
+++ b/ammb/meshcore_handler.py
@@ -254,7 +254,10 @@ class MeshcoreHandler:
 
                 if raw_data:
                     self.logger.debug("Serial RAW RX: %r", raw_data)
-
+                    # Update health on every receive
+                    self.health_monitor.update_component(
+                        "external", HealthStatus.HEALTHY, "Serial RX received"
+                    )
                     # Decode using the selected protocol handler
                     decoded_msg: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = (
                         self.protocol_handler.decode(raw_data)
@@ -433,6 +436,10 @@ class MeshcoreHandler:
                             self._is_connected.clear()
 
                     if send_success:
+                        # Update health on every successful send
+                        self.health_monitor.update_component(
+                            "external", HealthStatus.HEALTHY, "Serial TX sent"
+                        )
                         self.to_serial_queue.task_done()
                     else:
                         self.logger.error(
diff --git a/examples/config.ini.example b/examples/config.ini.example
index fc217dd..20dd003 100644
--- a/examples/config.ini.example
+++ b/examples/config.ini.example
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ SERIAL_BAUD_RATE = 9600
 #                 (Use this if your device talks Text/JSON)
 #   raw_serial:   Reads raw binary/text bytes and forwards them as Hex.
 #                 (Use this for MeshCore Companion Mode or binary protocols)
-SERIAL_PROTOCOL = raw_serial
+SERIAL_PROTOCOL = json_newline  # Use json_newline for text/JSON, raw_serial for binary/hex
 
 
 # --- MQTT Transport Settings ---