Hello Gerardo,

1. You said the hardware is very strange. I agree. Stop fiddling with 74hc14 and start using a regular RS-232 level converter like the MAX232. As to the signal levels -3 to -25V is considered a mark or logic "1" and +3 to +25V is considered a space or logic "0". If you think it is wonky, yes it is. But has reasons for it. Get the complete information about this standard, the cables to use and other pertinent info. from this excellent site
http://www.camiresearch.com/Data_Com_...hor1154232

2. If you need a code and other members don't feel that I am spoon feeding here we go :

; Tested OK with 89c51RD2 kit running with 12Mhz crystal.
; Just configure COM2 port in Hyperterminal (Win_9x) for 4800/8/N/1 and set it to Auto Detect.
; Works with all types of terminal emulation in Hyper Terminal. Only in ViewData type there is 
; some extra characters at the end. But still message can be read.
	
	 

	V24SPD  	EQU 256-26
		
          	        ORG  0000H

	V24SET:    	MOV PCON,   #80H
          		MOV TMOD,   #22H
          		MOV TH1,   #V24SPD
          		MOV TL1,   #V24SPD
          		SETB TCON.6 
          		MOV SCON,   #052H
          			
        ;----------------------------------	
	
	MAIN:      	MOV  R7,  #5	; To print message 5 times 
	NEXT:		MOV  DPTR,  #MSG
			LCALL  STXT
			LCALL  CRLF
			MOV  R4,  #10
			MOV  R5,  #255
			MOV  R6,  #255
	DLYLUP:	        DJNZ  R5,  $
			MOV  R5,  #255
			DJNZ  R6,  DLYLUP
			MOV  R6,  #255
			DJNZ  R4, DLYLUP
			DJNZ  R7,  NEXT
			 
			SJMP  $
	;---------------------------------    

	STXT:     	NOP             ; send text from program store at DPTR
          		MOV   A,   #0   ; destroy ACC and DPTR
          		MOVC  A,  @A+DPTR
          		JZ    ETXT
          		LCALL SEND
          		INC   DPTR
          		SJMP  STXT
	ETXT:      	RET


	BLANK:     	MOV   A, #' '   ; send BLANK
          		SJMP  SEND

	CRLF:      	MOV   A,   #13  ; send a Carriage Return + Line Feed
          		LCALL SEND
          		MOV   A,   #10
          		LCALL  SEND
          		RET

Hope that helps.

Raghu