Brad. Thanks for the details. They go into my recipe book.
The system is working without the bridge and I'm leaving it that way. Nothing needs fixing.
The problems were a)I forgot that wireless is undependable. b)I did not know that the HS-17s had the bridge built in. c)It did not occur to me that boot up would take some three or more minutes.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything. "The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw