Hi,
1. Tried BAUD CON 6 (instead of 2)..... no go
2. The crystal on the EDE702 has two 22pF caps going to ground
3. Haven't tried a crystal for the Pic (sender) but it's a '628A

Will make the correct schematic and post it (right now I don't have access to a drawing program that will do schematics). Maybe I'll get access to Orcad tomorrow.

I start to get a feeling that the EDE702 is just dead

Till then thanks for your suggestions,
Tom