diff --git a/gui/qt/main_window.py b/gui/qt/main_window.py
index 7aeb2311..61de4e3d 100644
--- a/gui/qt/main_window.py
+++ b/gui/qt/main_window.py
@@ -1130,7 +1130,7 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, PrintError):
 
         grid.addLayout(vbox_feecontrol, 5, 1, 1, 3)
 
-        if not self.config.get('show_fee', False):
+        if not self.config.get('show_fee', True):
             self.fee_adv_controls.setVisible(False)
 
         self.preview_button = EnterButton(_("Preview"), self.do_preview)
@@ -2584,6 +2584,7 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, PrintError):
         nz.valueChanged.connect(on_nz)
         gui_widgets.append((nz_label, nz))
 
+''' Disable option for dynamic fee calculation system
         def on_dynfee(x):
             self.config.set_key('dynamic_fees', x == Qt.Checked)
             self.fee_slider.update()
@@ -2592,9 +2593,10 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, PrintError):
         dynfee_cb.setToolTip(_("Use fees recommended by the server."))
         fee_widgets.append((dynfee_cb, None))
         dynfee_cb.stateChanged.connect(on_dynfee)
+'''
 
         feebox_cb = QCheckBox(_('Edit fees manually'))
-        feebox_cb.setChecked(self.config.get('show_fee', False))
+        feebox_cb.setChecked(self.config.get('show_fee', True))
         feebox_cb.setToolTip(_("Show fee edit box in send tab."))
         def on_feebox(x):
             self.config.set_key('show_fee', x == Qt.Checked)
diff --git a/lib/bitcoin.py b/lib/bitcoin.py
index 2b6660e4..682a313f 100644
--- a/lib/bitcoin.py
+++ b/lib/bitcoin.py
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ NetworkConstants.set_mainnet()
 ################################## transactions
 
 FEE_STEP = 10000
+DEFAULT_FEE_RATE = 10000
 MAX_FEE_RATE = 300000
 FEE_TARGETS = [25, 10, 5, 2]
 
diff --git a/lib/simple_config.py b/lib/simple_config.py
index b3da52de..41e461c0 100644
--- a/lib/simple_config.py
+++ b/lib/simple_config.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import stat
 from copy import deepcopy
 from .util import user_dir, print_error, print_stderr, PrintError
 
-from .bitcoin import MAX_FEE_RATE, FEE_TARGETS
+from .bitcoin import DFEAULT_FEE_RATE, MAX_FEE_RATE, FEE_TARGETS
 
 SYSTEM_CONFIG_PATH = "/etc/electrum.conf"
 
@@ -203,6 +203,12 @@ class SimpleConfig(PrintError):
             path = wallet.storage.path
             self.set_key('gui_last_wallet', path)
 
+    def default_fee_rate(self):
+        f = self.get('default_fee_rate', DEFAULT_FEE_RATE)
+        if f==0:
+            f = DEFAULT_FEE_RATE
+        return f
+
     def max_fee_rate(self):
         f = self.get('max_fee_rate', MAX_FEE_RATE)
         if f==0:
@@ -241,8 +247,9 @@ class SimpleConfig(PrintError):
     def has_fee_estimates(self):
         return len(self.fee_estimates)==4
 
+    # 'dynamic' fees are disabled - we use 'static' (but adjustable) fees
     def is_dynfee(self):
-        return self.get('dynamic_fees', True)
+        return self.get('dynamic_fees', False)
 
     def fee_per_kb(self):
         dyn = self.is_dynfee()