One thing I've been hit with, is not setting the mode numbers correctly. It's easier on shiftout with fewer choices. What is the SPI mode, and polarity? Many SPI devices shift their data out while info is being shifted in. With the PicBasic routine, you will lose this data. Hardware SPI is more difficult to set up initially, but is bi-directional, and easy to work with once set up. Any data sheets for the device?

Ron