SPI on PIC24H not progressing
Use the SPI peripheral library, it'll make things much easier.

Check the data sheet for the alternative functions of the pins you are using. If they are shared with the ADC that will be the default function and you will need to enable them for digital I/O.

You should use the Microchip forums for this type of question, many more people there will be using the 16-bit PICs.