another thing.... if i could do an array, that would be fine too. i just dont know if that would help me get the high bits free for outputs....


----------------
keyvalue var byte

pins[1] = %00000001
pins[2] = %00000010
......
pins[9] = %00001000


keyvalue = pins
----------------


but i think this does the same thing and "locks" the upper 4 bits as permanent inputs.....