Hi,
You shouldn't have to use the USART but I see no apparent reason not to when it is on the same pins as you're trying to use with SEROUT.

If you're using SEROUT you can use any pin you like as long as it can be made an output but you must make sure that all other peripherals multiplexed to that particular pin is turned off. Start by doing a blink-a-led on the particular pin you want to use, when you have that working you should be able to get data out with the SEROUT or SEROUT2 commands.

By the way, setting RCSTA, TXSTA etc does not effect SEROUT/SERIN commands, only HSEROUT etc. With HSEROUT you have to use a levelconverter as it can't send the data inverted - as far as I know.

If you're going to use the USART you can only use the pins to which the USART is connected (PortC.5 and 6 in this case but some chips can switch them around to alternative pins). But again you need to make sure that any other peripheral that may be on the same pin isn't "taking over" so to speak.

/Henrik.