So, here's the official answer I got from ClearCom. Apparently it was some sort of que issue specifically when you're running EHX 8.5 and the system through a matrix frame. Response below.
The system was trying to accept multiple connections at the same time and depending on the ID of the beltpack (essentially the equivalent of the MAC address of beltpack) the initial logon try can timeout. Power cycling the beltpack re-tires again and will allow it to log on. If you allow the beltpacks to log on one at a time then there is no que for the system to deal with.
This is a corner case where there are a few variables that need to align for the user to experience this. It took us a while to figure out and has now been resolved in the latest version of Eclipse EHX version 8.7 which is now starting to trickle out to Eclipse owners.
Cool. Still another reason for me to upgrade to 8.7
Kinda glad to know it was an actual 'bug' of sorts. And even better that it got sorted.