diff --git a/pylot/RELEASE-VERSION b/pylot/RELEASE-VERSION
index 9b24c362..2d62d124 100644
--- a/pylot/RELEASE-VERSION
+++ b/pylot/RELEASE-VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-55bc-dirty
+b97f-dirty
diff --git a/pylot/core/io/default_parameters.py b/pylot/core/io/default_parameters.py
index 3971ab01..4d72d01d 100644
--- a/pylot/core/io/default_parameters.py
+++ b/pylot/core/io/default_parameters.py
@@ -65,10 +65,6 @@ defaults = {'rootpath': {'type': str,
                    'tooltip': 'quality factor for P waves (Qp*f^a); list(Qp, a)',
                    'value': (300., 0.8)},
             
-            'focmecin': {'type': str,
-                         'tooltip': 'name of focmec input file containing derived polarities',
-                         'value': 'AUTOFOCMEC_AIC_HOS4_ARH.in'},
-            
             'pstart': {'type': float,
                        'tooltip': 'start time [s] for calculating CF for P-picking',
                        'value': 15.0},
@@ -298,8 +294,6 @@ settings_main={
         'vp',
         'rho',
         'Qp'],
-    'focmec':[
-        'focmecin'],
     'pick':[
         'pstart',
         'pstop',
diff --git a/pylot/core/io/inputs.py b/pylot/core/io/inputs.py
index 40428633..17ac61e3 100644
--- a/pylot/core/io/inputs.py
+++ b/pylot/core/io/inputs.py
@@ -137,7 +137,6 @@ class AutoPickParameter(object):
         all_names += self.get_main_para_names()['dirs']
         all_names += self.get_main_para_names()['nlloc']
         all_names += self.get_main_para_names()['smoment']
-        all_names += self.get_main_para_names()['focmec']
         all_names += self.get_main_para_names()['pick']
         all_names += self.get_special_para_names()['z']
         all_names += self.get_special_para_names()['h']
@@ -229,8 +228,6 @@ class AutoPickParameter(object):
                            'NLLoc settings', seperator)
         self.write_section(fid_out, self.get_main_para_names()['smoment'],
                            'parameters for seismic moment estimation', seperator)
-        self.write_section(fid_out, self.get_main_para_names()['focmec'],
-                           'focal mechanism', seperator)
         self.write_section(fid_out, self.get_main_para_names()['pick'],
                            'common settings picker', seperator)
         fid_out.write(('#special settings for calculating CF#\n'+
diff --git a/pylot/core/util/widgets.py b/pylot/core/util/widgets.py
index f588230a..53ee66fc 100644
--- a/pylot/core/util/widgets.py
+++ b/pylot/core/util/widgets.py
@@ -1762,8 +1762,6 @@ class AutoPickParaBox(QtGui.QWidget):
         self.add_to_layout(self._main_layout, 'Seismic Moment',
                            self.parameter.get_main_para_names()['smoment'])
         self.add_to_layout(self._main_layout, 'Focal Mechanism',
-                           self.parameter.get_main_para_names()['focmec'])
-        self.add_to_layout(self._main_layout, 'Pick Settings',
                            self.parameter.get_main_para_names()['pick'],
                            False)
         self.add_tab(self._main_layout, 'Main Settings')