[Typo3] news links/pdf not displaying

[Voytek]

I've just installed tt_news 2.1.1 with TYPO3 3.6.2,
'tt_news 2.1.1 Local GL'
but I'm having probs displaying local files in news item
(unless I enter a fully q path link, like
www.domain.tld/site/fileadmin/path/to/letter.pdf )

when the item starts displaying, it makes an attempt to display
image/link, but, after item fully loads, the 'image area blank' goes away
I suspect path screw up somewhere ?

in BE, the PDF is located, and, thumbnail generated OK

what should I look at ?

-- 
Voytek