New to pic micro so please be gentle

Hi to all. I was wondering if i could pick your brains? I am using a pic 16f877a processor and plan to write the code in pic basic pro. If possible i would like to build a device that transmits via infared its own id code (such as UNIT01) and then the receiver reads this then transmits back to the first unit that it has recieved its id code and makes a port go high for a 1/2 second period. This project is still in the development stages so any help will be greatly appreciated and any suggestions on components etc best to use again will be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou all in advance and please be gentle

Sounds pretty simple?, you might check my tutorials, the IR one and associated hardware are pretty close to what you want - but using assembler.