Just to update everyone in case it's not clear:

I've arrived back from Bkk and have sample chips from steamboat, final needed parts from Mouser, and K16 boards from China. I will be initially testing power supply on the boards and then PIC on the K1 and then mount an ASIC on a K1 for comm. tests. So barring unexpected set backs (like solder paste that turns out to be useless), I should be able to report something on ASIC communication within a day or two.