Billiban -
I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that AHP needs to be running in order to run macros from the PC. The x10nets process does that. I have several macros written for OnAlert security modules, which as you know must run from the PC, and these work (as reliably as anything else in X10) when AHP is shut down.
After many frustrating hours running between sensors, switches, and the AHP activity monitor, I've also seen that things don't always work in real-time like I think they should. Then I start tinkering -- which inevitably leads to more frustration when the "tinkers" don't behave...
I've completely given up trying to diagnose in real time with AHP running. Your thorough examination of the issues with AHP running confirms my position, so thanks for that!
Now, if I happen to notice something not working like I think it should, I'll fire up AHP and check the activity monitor for past events. (I still have one light coming on mysteriously...)
I have upgraded to 3228 and things seem to be working properly -- at least if I don't watch too closely...