Thanks @euquiq for a more common solution to the bug.
Added RX gain control.
Now we have full gain controls!
Merged PTT and Voice activation into one option selector.(allowing RIGHT BUTTON to work with PTT off)
A bug that enabling audio RX resets the TX gain (perhaps because that changing to receiving mode modifies some registers) inspired me to add this gain control.
Commented out some steps which don't require for the VU meter to work again.
Moved some widgets for gain control.
You can enable RX and adjust VOLUME and SQUELCH into your liking.
Sadly enough, you will NOT be able to use VOICE ACTIVATION when RX is enabled (to ensure there will be NO audio feedback defeating the VA sensing)
A "bug" that won over me, but perhaps and hopefully other coder can easily fix: The Vumeter will momentarily "dissappear" when enabling RX. But it will reappear as soon as you start TX. Or when you turn off RX.
I enabled the PEAK LEVEL MARK on the Vumeter, so you can easily see in which level your input voice / signal is peaking and regulate the MIC gain accordingly in an easier / more robust way.
Side enhancement: Took off the dark green, yellow and red coloring from the vumeter when no signal is present, and replaced it with dark_grey. I know that some coloring is "eye-candy" but the vu-meter is more readable with this new contrast.