Have you try the VirtualWire lib in the playground?
Yes, I've tried VirtualWire and get no data on the receiver. If I try VirtualWire with an actual wire connection, it works.
I have the same exact RF set and notice the receiver is inverted
How did you find that out and remedy it, if I may ask? And did it mean that you weren't getting Serial.available() at the receiving end until you figured it out?