diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
index b1f1e6f..3a188af 100644
--- a/app/main.py
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import asyncio
 import logging
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -34,6 +35,22 @@ setup_logging()
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+async def _startup_radio_connect_and_setup() -> None:
+    """Connect/setup the radio in the background so HTTP serving can start immediately."""
+    try:
+        connected = await radio_manager.reconnect(broadcast_on_success=False)
+        if connected:
+            await radio_manager.post_connect_setup()
+            from app.websocket import broadcast_health
+
+            broadcast_health(True, radio_manager.connection_info)
+            logger.info("Connected to radio")
+        else:
+            logger.warning("Failed to connect to radio on startup")
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.warning("Failed to connect to radio on startup: %s", e)
+
+
 @asynccontextmanager
 async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     """Manage database and radio connection lifecycle."""
@@ -47,13 +64,6 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
 
     await ensure_default_channels()
 
-    try:
-        await radio_manager.connect()
-        logger.info("Connected to radio")
-        await radio_manager.post_connect_setup()
-    except Exception as e:
-        logger.warning("Failed to connect to radio on startup: %s", e)
-
     # Always start connection monitor (even if initial connection failed)
     await radio_manager.start_connection_monitor()
 
@@ -65,9 +75,18 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     except Exception as e:
         logger.warning("Failed to start fanout modules: %s", e)
 
+    startup_radio_task = asyncio.create_task(_startup_radio_connect_and_setup())
+    app.state.startup_radio_task = startup_radio_task
+
     yield
 
     logger.info("Shutting down")
+    if startup_radio_task and not startup_radio_task.done():
+        startup_radio_task.cancel()
+        try:
+            await startup_radio_task
+        except asyncio.CancelledError:
+            pass
     await fanout_manager.stop_all()
     await radio_manager.stop_connection_monitor()
     await stop_message_polling()
diff --git a/app/routers/health.py b/app/routers/health.py
index 39a53c9..30901a7 100644
--- a/app/routers/health.py
+++ b/app/routers/health.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ router = APIRouter(tags=["health"])
 class HealthResponse(BaseModel):
     status: str
     radio_connected: bool
+    radio_initializing: bool = False
     connection_info: str | None
     database_size_mb: float
     oldest_undecrypted_timestamp: int | None
@@ -45,9 +46,20 @@ async def build_health_data(radio_connected: bool, connection_info: str | None)
     except Exception:
         pass
 
+    setup_in_progress = getattr(radio_manager, "is_setup_in_progress", False)
+    if not isinstance(setup_in_progress, bool):
+        setup_in_progress = False
+
+    setup_complete = getattr(radio_manager, "is_setup_complete", radio_connected)
+    if not isinstance(setup_complete, bool):
+        setup_complete = radio_connected
+
+    radio_initializing = bool(radio_connected and (setup_in_progress or not setup_complete))
+
     return {
-        "status": "ok" if radio_connected else "degraded",
+        "status": "ok" if radio_connected and not radio_initializing else "degraded",
         "radio_connected": radio_connected,
+        "radio_initializing": radio_initializing,
         "connection_info": connection_info,
         "database_size_mb": db_size_mb,
         "oldest_undecrypted_timestamp": oldest_ts,
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.tsx b/frontend/src/App.tsx
index 5337841..b6e3df0 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -107,7 +107,6 @@ export function App() {
     health,
     setHealth,
     config,
-    setConfig,
     prevHealthRef,
     fetchConfig,
     handleSaveConfig,
@@ -233,6 +232,12 @@ export function App() {
         const prev = prevHealthRef.current;
         prevHealthRef.current = data;
         setHealth(data);
+        const initializationCompleted =
+          prev !== null &&
+          prev.radio_connected &&
+          prev.radio_initializing &&
+          data.radio_connected &&
+          !data.radio_initializing;
 
         // Show toast on connection status change
         if (prev !== null && prev.radio_connected !== data.radio_connected) {
@@ -243,13 +248,17 @@ export function App() {
                 : undefined,
             });
             // Refresh config after reconnection (may have changed after reboot)
-            api.getRadioConfig().then(setConfig).catch(console.error);
+            fetchConfig();
           } else {
             toast.error('Radio disconnected', {
               description: 'Check radio connection and power',
             });
           }
         }
+
+        if (initializationCompleted) {
+          fetchConfig();
+        }
       },
       onError: (error: { message: string; details?: string }) => {
         toast.error(error.message, {
@@ -376,9 +385,9 @@ export function App() {
       incrementUnread,
       updateMessageAck,
       checkMention,
+      fetchConfig,
       prevHealthRef,
       setHealth,
-      setConfig,
       activeConversationRef,
       hasNewerMessagesRef,
       setActiveConversation,
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/StatusBar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/StatusBar.tsx
index 5dc4d03..037fabf 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/StatusBar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/StatusBar.tsx
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ export function StatusBar({
   onMenuClick,
 }: StatusBarProps) {
   const connected = health?.radio_connected ?? false;
+  const initializing = health?.radio_initializing ?? false;
+  const statusLabel = initializing
+    ? 'Radio Initializing'
+    : connected
+      ? 'Radio OK'
+      : 'Radio Disconnected';
   const [reconnecting, setReconnecting] = useState(false);
 
   const handleReconnect = async () => {
@@ -67,23 +73,19 @@ export function StatusBar({
         RemoteTerm
       </h1>
 
-      <div
-        className="flex items-center gap-1.5"
-        role="status"
-        aria-label={connected ? 'Connected' : 'Disconnected'}
-      >
+      <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5" role="status" aria-label={statusLabel}>
         <div
           className={cn(
             'w-2 h-2 rounded-full transition-colors',
-            connected
-              ? 'bg-status-connected shadow-[0_0_6px_hsl(var(--status-connected)/0.5)]'
-              : 'bg-status-disconnected'
+            initializing
+              ? 'bg-warning'
+              : connected
+                ? 'bg-status-connected shadow-[0_0_6px_hsl(var(--status-connected)/0.5)]'
+                : 'bg-status-disconnected'
           )}
           aria-hidden="true"
         />
-        <span className="hidden lg:inline text-muted-foreground">
-          {connected ? 'Connected' : 'Disconnected'}
-        </span>
+        <span className="hidden lg:inline text-muted-foreground">{statusLabel}</span>
       </div>
 
       {config && (
@@ -106,7 +108,7 @@ export function StatusBar({
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {!connected && (
+      {!connected && !initializing && (
         <button
           onClick={handleReconnect}
           disabled={reconnecting}
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/useRadioControl.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/useRadioControl.ts
index 265402a..4edfe7f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/useRadioControl.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/useRadioControl.ts
@@ -45,7 +45,9 @@ export function useRadioControl() {
 
   const handleReboot = useCallback(async () => {
     await api.rebootRadio();
-    setHealth((prev) => (prev ? { ...prev, radio_connected: false } : prev));
+    setHealth((prev) =>
+      prev ? { ...prev, radio_connected: false, radio_initializing: false } : prev
+    );
     const pollToken = ++rebootPollTokenRef.current;
     const pollUntilReconnected = async () => {
       for (let i = 0; i < 30; i++) {
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/api.test.ts b/frontend/src/test/api.test.ts
index 38ad225..f645894 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/api.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/test/api.test.ts
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ describe('fetchJson (via api methods)', () => {
       const healthData = {
         status: 'connected',
         radio_connected: true,
+        radio_initializing: false,
         connection_info: 'Serial: /dev/ttyUSB0',
         database_size_mb: 1.2,
         oldest_undecrypted_timestamp: null,
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/fanoutSection.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/fanoutSection.test.tsx
index eb219fd..2195453 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/fanoutSection.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/test/fanoutSection.test.tsx
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ const mockedApi = vi.mocked(api);
 const baseHealth: HealthStatus = {
   status: 'connected',
   radio_connected: true,
+  radio_initializing: false,
   connection_info: 'Serial: /dev/ttyUSB0',
   database_size_mb: 1.2,
   oldest_undecrypted_timestamp: null,
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx
index df482e4..cffd125 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ const baseConfig: RadioConfig = {
 const baseHealth: HealthStatus = {
   status: 'connected',
   radio_connected: true,
+  radio_initializing: false,
   connection_info: 'Serial: /dev/ttyUSB0',
   database_size_mb: 1.2,
   oldest_undecrypted_timestamp: null,
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/statusBar.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/statusBar.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ee8446
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/test/statusBar.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+
+import { StatusBar } from '../components/StatusBar';
+import type { HealthStatus } from '../types';
+
+const baseHealth: HealthStatus = {
+  status: 'degraded',
+  radio_connected: false,
+  radio_initializing: false,
+  connection_info: null,
+  database_size_mb: 1.2,
+  oldest_undecrypted_timestamp: null,
+  fanout_statuses: {},
+  bots_disabled: false,
+};
+
+describe('StatusBar', () => {
+  it('shows Radio Initializing while setup is still running', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar
+        health={{ ...baseHealth, radio_connected: true, radio_initializing: true }}
+        config={null}
+        onSettingsClick={vi.fn()}
+      />
+    );
+
+    expect(screen.getByRole('status', { name: 'Radio Initializing' })).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Reconnect' })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('shows Radio OK when the radio is connected and ready', () => {
+    render(
+      <StatusBar
+        health={{ ...baseHealth, status: 'ok', radio_connected: true }}
+        config={null}
+        onSettingsClick={vi.fn()}
+      />
+    );
+
+    expect(screen.getByRole('status', { name: 'Radio OK' })).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('shows Radio Disconnected when the radio is unavailable', () => {
+    render(<StatusBar health={baseHealth} config={null} onSettingsClick={vi.fn()} />);
+
+    expect(screen.getByRole('status', { name: 'Radio Disconnected' })).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Reconnect' })).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/useWebSocket.dispatch.test.ts b/frontend/src/test/useWebSocket.dispatch.test.ts
index 169f295..d381b1d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/useWebSocket.dispatch.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/test/useWebSocket.dispatch.test.ts
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ describe('useWebSocket dispatch', () => {
     const healthData = {
       status: 'ok',
       radio_connected: true,
+      radio_initializing: false,
       connection_info: 'TCP: 1.2.3.4:4000',
       database_size_mb: 1.5,
       oldest_undecrypted_timestamp: null,
diff --git a/frontend/src/types.ts b/frontend/src/types.ts
index 8498ec3..10f65ea 100644
--- a/frontend/src/types.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/types.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ export interface FanoutStatusEntry {
 export interface HealthStatus {
   status: string;
   radio_connected: boolean;
+  radio_initializing: boolean;
   connection_info: string | null;
   database_size_mb: number;
   oldest_undecrypted_timestamp: number | null;
diff --git a/tests/test_health_mqtt_status.py b/tests/test_health_mqtt_status.py
index 6a772d7..96feb15 100644
--- a/tests/test_health_mqtt_status.py
+++ b/tests/test_health_mqtt_status.py
@@ -43,13 +43,19 @@ class TestHealthFanoutStatus:
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_health_status_ok_when_connected(self, test_db):
         """Health status is 'ok' when radio is connected."""
-        with patch(
-            "app.routers.health.RawPacketRepository.get_oldest_undecrypted", return_value=None
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "app.routers.health.RawPacketRepository.get_oldest_undecrypted", return_value=None
+            ),
+            patch("app.routers.health.radio_manager") as mock_rm,
         ):
+            mock_rm.is_setup_in_progress = False
+            mock_rm.is_setup_complete = True
             data = await build_health_data(True, "Serial: /dev/ttyUSB0")
 
         assert data["status"] == "ok"
         assert data["radio_connected"] is True
+        assert data["radio_initializing"] is False
         assert data["connection_info"] == "Serial: /dev/ttyUSB0"
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
@@ -62,4 +68,22 @@ class TestHealthFanoutStatus:
 
         assert data["status"] == "degraded"
         assert data["radio_connected"] is False
+        assert data["radio_initializing"] is False
         assert data["connection_info"] is None
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_health_status_degraded_while_radio_initializing(self, test_db):
+        """Health stays degraded while transport is up but post-connect setup is incomplete."""
+        with (
+            patch(
+                "app.routers.health.RawPacketRepository.get_oldest_undecrypted", return_value=None
+            ),
+            patch("app.routers.health.radio_manager") as mock_rm,
+        ):
+            mock_rm.is_setup_in_progress = True
+            mock_rm.is_setup_complete = False
+            data = await build_health_data(True, "Serial: /dev/ttyUSB0")
+
+        assert data["status"] == "degraded"
+        assert data["radio_connected"] is True
+        assert data["radio_initializing"] is True
diff --git a/tests/test_main_startup.py b/tests/test_main_startup.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0bb5cb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_main_startup.py
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+"""Tests for app startup/lifespan behavior."""
+
+import asyncio
+from unittest.mock import AsyncMock, patch
+
+import pytest
+
+from app.main import app, lifespan
+
+
+class TestStartupLifespan:
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_lifespan_does_not_wait_for_radio_setup(self):
+        """HTTP serving should start before post-connect setup finishes."""
+        setup_started = asyncio.Event()
+        release_setup = asyncio.Event()
+
+        async def slow_setup():
+            setup_started.set()
+            await release_setup.wait()
+
+        with (
+            patch("app.main.db.connect", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.main.db.disconnect", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.radio_sync.ensure_default_channels", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.radio.radio_manager.start_connection_monitor", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.radio.radio_manager.stop_connection_monitor", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.radio.radio_manager.disconnect", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.radio.radio_manager.reconnect", new=AsyncMock(return_value=True)),
+            patch(
+                "app.radio.radio_manager.post_connect_setup", new=AsyncMock(side_effect=slow_setup)
+            ),
+            patch("app.fanout.manager.fanout_manager.load_from_db", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.fanout.manager.fanout_manager.stop_all", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.radio_sync.stop_message_polling", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.radio_sync.stop_periodic_advert", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.radio_sync.stop_periodic_sync", new=AsyncMock()),
+            patch("app.websocket.broadcast_health"),
+        ):
+            cm = lifespan(app)
+            await asyncio.wait_for(cm.__aenter__(), timeout=0.2)
+
+            await asyncio.wait_for(setup_started.wait(), timeout=0.2)
+            startup_task = app.state.startup_radio_task
+            assert startup_task.done() is False
+
+            release_setup.set()
+            await asyncio.wait_for(cm.__aexit__(None, None, None), timeout=0.5)