I have been able to do some more testing and everything is working fine.
I flashed the PIC with the test3 firmware. Then, I plug in the cat5 cable with the program jumper removed. I start the smart string utility and change the settings. I click transmit and install the program jumper. Nothing happens. If I install the program jumper before I plug in the cat5 cable, the lights will start to flash as soon as I click the transmit button. Then, I can remove the jumper and unplug the cat5 cable and everything works fine as soon as I plug it back in.
It only does this on the initial programming. After it is programmed the first time, I can plug in the SSC with the jumper removed. Then, start the smart string utility and click transmit. I can install the jumper and the lights will flash. Once I remove the jumper and reset the SSC, it works as expected.
I don't think this is an issue, but I wanted to explain my experience because at first I thought there was a problem since the initial programming was different than what I was expecting.
Everything else that I could think of to test works fine.
Rick P.