Don't know why...but...picked up a 4-port USB PCI card from the big box store...plugged it in...figured out all the ports: (tail -f /var/log/messages | grep USB) re-edited my dongle config files...rebooted the system...clean audio...no 'cutting out'. OK...so, the question (there is always that, right?) is...a bus card plugged into the peripheral bus works ok, but the on-board controller doesn't? WTF is that all about? Gotta love it. Solved the problem, as of now...even got my ranger node working (close your ears, Jim...) with vox, and speaker audio and mic input (because I had the interface cable already built for a Wouxun...), and that works ok. (I'll build the cable to interface the DR-135 Alinco I have in the box but never got a Round Tuit...just to test the LiTZ functionality...:)). So...it's all up and running again. But it puzzles me as to why an onboard USB2.0 set of ports don't work as well as a peripheral card that gets plugged into the peripheral bus. Guess there are some things that I'm not meant to know...:) Thx for all the suggestions last night. To be honest, I was ready to put an ad up on QTH and QRZ for the whole kit and kaboodle...between having to build a new system (thanks, KB2EAR for your guidance) on a 2-yr. old comptuer, and then it not running as well as it did on an 8-year-old failing laptop, issues with the micor, yadda yadda. Yeah, it's not a destination...it's a journey, right? (hey, guys, if you haven't signed up for a ranger node...whatcha waiting for? 146.55 (all classes can use, with basic equipment), no PL, LiTZ autoconnect to wherever, 3 lines in the rpt.conf...what could be simpler?) BB WB0YLE Morrisville PA 27294/27295/27673/27710/27774/90102