Rick,
Thanks for all the help. Reinstalling the OS fresh without Dell's extra applications has fixed the issue. Just using the restore disks was the key, so something was really conflicting in the way the systems were shipped.
If anyone else runs into this issue with Atheros Wifi adapters, my only proven solution is to right away wipe the drive and reinstall the OS disk ONLY. Then start reinstalling drivers 1 by 1 from the Resources Disk.
Thanks again Rick!