I have just tested my code on Arduino UNO (supply of 5v)  as opposed to Arduino fio 328 (supply of 3.3v)
and it works like a charm, no garbage characters

I figured the serial out from the ph stamp is at a different level somehow to the arduino fio..

any help to get it to work with the fio

I have already tried the HEF4050 with both 3.3 and 5v as supply but still same garbage coming out...