diff --git a/src/main.py b/src/main.py
index aa8969d..5ef2f56 100644
--- a/src/main.py
+++ b/src/main.py
@@ -29,14 +29,21 @@ def main():
     wdt = machine.WDT(timeout=10000)
     wdt.feed()
     while True:
-        # patterns.tick()
+        # advance pattern based on its own returned schedule
+        # due = patterns.tick(due)
         wdt.feed()
-        host, msg = e.recv(0)
-        if msg: 
-            try:
-                data = json.loads(msg)
-                print(data)
 
+        # Drain all pending packets and only process the latest
+        last_msg = None
+        while True:
+            host, msg = e.recv(0)
+            if not msg:
+                break
+            last_msg = msg
+
+        if last_msg:
+            try:
+                data = json.loads(last_msg)
                 defaults = data.get("d", {})
                 bar = data.get(settings.get("name"), {})
 
@@ -44,18 +51,18 @@ def main():
                 patterns.delay = bar.get("delay", defaults.get("delay", patterns.delay))
                 colors = bar.get("colors", defaults.get("colors", patterns.colors))
                 patterns.colors = [tuple(int(color[i:i+2], 16) for i in settings.color_order) for color in colors]
-                # patterns.select(bar.get("pattern", defaults.get("pattern", "off")))
                 patterns.n1 = bar.get("n1", defaults.get("n1", patterns.n1))
                 patterns.n2 = bar.get("n2", defaults.get("n2", patterns.n2))
                 patterns.step = bar.get("pattern_step", defaults.get("step", patterns.step))
+
                 selected_pattern = bar.get("pattern", defaults.get("pattern", "off"))
                 if selected_pattern in patterns.patterns:
+                    # Run the selected pattern ONCE in response to this message. Do not auto-tick elsewhere.
                     patterns.patterns[selected_pattern]()
                 else:
                     print(f"Pattern {selected_pattern} not found")
-
-            except:
-                print(f"Failed to load espnow data {msg}")
+            except Exception as ex:
+                print(f"Failed to load espnow data {last_msg}: {ex}")
                 continue
         
 
diff --git a/test/main.py b/test/main.py
index efc95b8..a019b46 100644
--- a/test/main.py
+++ b/test/main.py
@@ -18,10 +18,6 @@ PATTERN_SUITE = [
     {"pattern": "n_chase", "n1": 5, "n2": 5, "delay": 250, "iterations": 40, "repeat_delay": 120, "colors": ["#00ff88"]},
     {"pattern": "alternating", "n1": 6, "n2": 6, "delay": 300, "iterations": 20, "repeat_delay": 300, "colors": ["#ff8800"]},
     {"pattern": "pulse", "delay": 200, "iterations": 6, "repeat_delay": 300, "colors": ["#ffffff"]},
-    # Specto sweep demo: increase n1 from 0 to 30 repeatedly
-    {"pattern": "specto", "delay": 80, "iterations": 32, "repeat_delay": 80, "colors": ["#00ff00"], "n1_sequence": list(range(0, 31)) + [30]},
-    # Radiate demo: origins every 8 LEDs, moderate speed
-    {"pattern": "radiate", "delay": 60, "iterations": 6, "repeat_delay": 600, "colors": ["#ffffff"], "n1": 8},
 ]
 
 
@@ -74,9 +70,6 @@ async def run_suite(uri: str):
             interval_ms = int(cfg.get("interval_ms", cfg.get("delay", 100) or 100))
             repeat_ms = int(cfg.get("repeat_delay", interval_ms))
             for i in range(iterations):
-                # Optional per-iteration n1 for specto
-                seq = cfg.get("n1_sequence")
-                n1_val = (seq[i % len(seq)] if seq else cfg.get("n1"))
                 msg = build_message(
                     cfg.get("pattern", "off"),
                     i,
@@ -84,7 +77,7 @@ async def run_suite(uri: str):
                     colors=cfg.get("colors"),
                     brightness=cfg.get("brightness", 127),
                     num_leds=cfg.get("num_leds"),
-                    n1=n1_val,
+                    n1=cfg.get("n1"),
                     n2=cfg.get("n2"),
                     name=cfg.get("name", "0"),
                     pattern_step=cfg.get("pattern_step"),