Not sure how the PEP1 config will help, its an embarrasing mess of IR components and simple Prontoscript.

But after reading for more hours about "command failed" search topics, I started trying more of the things suggested, and lo and behold... my "blues" have started turning green. By setting NO wifi security, my RFX9600 now responds and the serial commands come shooting out of serial port #4 (look good on the scope).

So now that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, I can try more experiments and integrate my serial component/activity into the old PEP1 code (brought into PEP2). Sure am glad there is so much info to be found here in threads from the past.

This doesn't answer my complaints about PEP2 issues I mentioned, but those aren't deal-breakers it this point.