Just in case anyone is interested.
I finally finished the update to kernel 2.6.14 . I also did a modules
update.
And still no joy. Same results.
I have also found a few older messages and vague references in Usenet
messages to the data corruption / CRC problems with transmit and Baycom
serial modems. It appears the while there is recognition of a problem
with packet assembly prior to transmit, nothing seems to have been
accomplished to solve the problem. The best that I can tell, the end
of the line for the serial baycoms was the 2.4 kernels. I have also
seen messages that indicate that there are problems with AX.25 in the
2.4 kernels. Problems that are fixed in the 2.6 kernels.
Unfortunately, I am not in a postion to lend a hand towards resolution
of Baycom / kernel 2.6 issues, otherwise I would.
Sadly, I am now loading Win98 on the PC and hope to have Cygwin and
Xastir running with the Baycom in a few days. I need it for a trip
that I will be taking.
It's a damn shame. A Linux installation is terrible thing to waste.

Dean KD4TWJ