> also iwictl -r reports Radio OFF.

Loading the firmware is probably you primary problem, but still, I get a
similar message from the Linux driver on my acer laptop if the "hardware
button" for wlan has the wrong setting. In windows this button lights up
when the wlan is enabled. In Linux it is not lit but still seems to work
(i.e. toggles the wlan radio on/off).

I heard that some laptops may require more software support to turn on
the radio. See rfswitch.sourceforge.net for some info.

Best regards,

	-- Urban