diff --git a/src/minimodem.1.in b/src/minimodem.1.in
index 37a34a0..6677c85 100644
--- a/src/minimodem.1.in
+++ b/src/minimodem.1.in
@@ -48,19 +48,23 @@ receive mode: decode audio tones
 .B \-a, \-\-auto-carrier
 automatically detect mark and space frequences from carrier
 .TP
-.B \-c, \-\-confidence min-snr-threshold
-Set receive confidence minimum SNR threshold (default 2.0).
+.B \-c, \-\-confidence min-confidence-threshold
+Set receive confidence minimum threshold (default 1.5).
+The "confidence" value is a metric based primarily on
+the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) of the received signal.
 This value acts as an FSK decoder "squelch" control.
 Increase to accept only very clean signals (up to INFINITY, but
 a value around 5.0 is more practical).  Decrease to accept partial
-decoding of noisy signals (down to 1.0).
-.TP
-.B \-l, \-\-limit max-snr-search-limit
-Set receive confidence maximum SNR search limit (default 2.3).
+decoding of noisy signals (down to a minimum value of 1.0).
+(This option applies to \-\-rx mode only).
+.B \-l, \-\-limit max-confidence-search-limit
+Set receive confidence maximum search limit (default 2.3).
+The "confidence" value is as described above.
 This value acts as a performance vs. analysis quality control.
 Increase (up to INFINITY) for a more pedantic analysis
-and higher CPU usage.  Decrease (down to the min-snr-threshold)
+and higher CPU usage.  Decrease (down to the min-confidence-threshold)
 for a sloppier analysis, with lower CPU usage.
+(This option applies to \-\-rx mode only).
 .TP
 .B \-8, \-\-ascii
 ASCII  8\-N\-1
diff --git a/src/minimodem.c b/src/minimodem.c
index 05d9c54..eed0746 100644
--- a/src/minimodem.c
+++ b/src/minimodem.c
@@ -325,8 +325,8 @@ usage()
     "		    -r, --rx, --receive,  --read     (default)\n"
     "		[options]\n"
     "		    -a, --auto-carrier\n"
-    "		    -c, --confidence {min-snr-threshold}\n"
-    "		    -l, --limit {max-snr-search-limit}\n"
+    "		    -c, --confidence {min-confidence-threshold}\n"
+    "		    -l, --limit {max-confidence-search-limit}\n"
     "		    -8, --ascii		ASCII  8-N-1\n"
     "		    -5, --baudot	Baudot 5-N-1\n"
     "		    -f, --file {filename.flac}\n"
@@ -370,15 +370,16 @@ main( int argc, char*argv[] )
 
     // fsk_confidence_threshold : signal-to-noise squelch control
     //
-    // The minimum SNR confidence level seen as "a signal".
-    float fsk_confidence_threshold = 2.0;
+    // The minimum SNR-ish confidence level seen as "a signal".
+    float fsk_confidence_threshold = 1.5;
 
     // fsk_confidence_search_limit : performance vs. quality
     //
-    // If we find a frame with SNR confidence > confidence_search_limit,
+    // If we find a frame with confidence > confidence_search_limit,
     // quit searching for a better frame.  confidence_search_limit has a
     // dramatic effect on peformance (high value yields low performance, but
-    // higher decode quality, for noisy or hard-to-discern signals (Bell 103).
+    // higher decode quality, for noisy or hard-to-discern signals (Bell 103,
+    // or skewed rates).
     float fsk_confidence_search_limit = 2.3f;
     // float fsk_confidence_search_limit = INFINITY;  /* for test */