fredblah, I cannot see anything obvious, although I am not expert. I would try simply using SEROUT2 or DEBUG on a pin directly to the RS-232 (use inverted 2400 8N1). I have done this with a few chips and works well for me.

Once I have that working, then I would move on to the UART, then to the MAX232.

Caution: I am only hooking the uProc pin to the Rx pin on the PC, do not hook the Tx from the RS-232 without some kind of resistor as the TTL level could fry some parts.

d1

P.S. also double check you resonator value.