#1.Are you using the chip, or the SD board?
The chip

#2. Have you had experience with the hardware USART?
no experience

#3. Do you know what version of Alfat firmware is on the chip?
no, but i think its 3.06

#4. What are you using for a display? LCD/Debug/ICSD?
LCD

For test purposes, I would suggest plain old Serin2/ serout2.The USART just adds one level of mystery. The device comes up at 9600 baud. No need for a 232 converter, if you are using a PIC, only with a PC in hyper term.
I've got some routines, just let me know the above answers. Also, check the user's forum at GHIELECTRONICS.com

ok, i'll work on trying to learn the serin2/serout2. so i'll need to setup the code @9600 baud. is serin/serout hard to implement?