This is my Rev1, no ground after the antenna, but traces in the non ground planed area (I misunderstood the keepout at the entire photon)
And this is my R2 with more beefy traces, but ground plane just above the antenna.
Niether of them works with the softAP setup.
So I am not convinced we have found the smoking gun yet, as yet more people are being halted by the issue.
In my 3rd rev I am planning on replacing the power circuit, but I have halted that for now since its throwing good money after bad.
IMO if the photon needs more clear space around the antenna, the keep out zone should be expanded, or explained better.