If you have the manual, turn it to "getting started with text mode". Basically you apply power with the UART/SPI pin high.

Pause 500
low ALFAT_CTS
pauseus 20
input ALFAT_RTS
pauseus 20
low ALFAT_RESET
pause 200
input ALFAT_RESET
pause 500

main1:
serout2 ALFAT_RX,84,["RS OK",13] ; Send reset string
read:
serin2 ALFAT_TX,84,bufchar]
lcdout bufchar
if DATARDY = 1 then main2

This little code snippet resets the Alfat and reads back the startup message and version number. After that, you can send out the commands you need in a similar style to the main1: line. Wait for the responses, and use wait in your serin2 string to parse out the info you need.
Alfat is very finicky about correct syntax, so be very careful.
I would immedietly disable the echo, then change over to drive A (SD card)

Ron