using just this, i was able to make an LED blink connected to pin 7.
analogWrite(ledPin, 255);
delay(2000);
analogWrite(ledPin, 0);
delay(2000);
I shouldn't use the flush() ?
To send over serial, is it just using the "print" command or the "write" command?
on the TX side: the TX led on the arduino board is blinking.
on the RX side: the TX led on the arduino board is blinking?
This is the setup.
the Arduino to the Xbee shield connection is made like this:
Arduino TX(1) --> XbeeSheild RX
Arduino RX(0) --> XbeeSheild TX
correct?
this is for both the receiving pair and sending pair, is this correct?
I shouldn't use the flush() ?
In general, no. If you know what is does, when, and you really have a good reason to use, you can. 99.9% of the code posted on the forum that contains Serial.flush() should not be calling it.
To send over serial, is it just using the "print" command or the "write" command?
Use print() to send ASCII data. Use write() to send binary data.
Does the serial monitor print anything that is being transmitted?
if I use Serial.println(num);
will it transmit (via TX 1) as will as print on serial monitor or just serial monitor?
Does the serial monitor print anything that is being transmitted?
if I use Serial.println(num);
will it transmit (via TX 1) as will as print on serial monitor or just serial monitor?
The XBee will transmit the data and the serial monitor will print it.
still nothing.
I've tried a simple transmit:
void setup()
{
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop()
{
Serial.print('H');
delay(100);
Serial.print('L');
delay(100);
}
but not receiving anything.
Maybe I configured the radios wrong?
this is the transmitter radio
The setup is correct?
Arduino TX(1) --> XbeeSheild RX
Arduino RX(0) --> XbeeSheild TX
?
Is it weird that only the TX led on both arduino's are only blinking? not the RX
The setup is correct?
No. You bought shields. Now buy, and install, the header pins and USE THEM AS SHIELDS!
That shield has a 3.3V regulator on it. Maybe try hooking the shield up to 5V instead of 3.3V? Probably reaching here, but since you're manually connecting it to the arduino instead of using headers it could be a factor.
can I use this?
Sure.
You can use the shields you had, if you simply connected them correctly.
how do i connect these shield properly?
I ordered the headers from sparkfun, but they could take weeks.
is there wiring schematic for the shield to connect to the uno?
should the baudrate be 9600 or 57600 ?
how do i connect these shield properly?
With the XBee side of the shield up, there is only one way the shield will for on the Arduino. The holes where the pins will go need to be connected to the pin locations on the Arduino IN THE SAME ORDER.
should the baudrate be 9600 or 57600 ?
Or 19200, or 38400, or whatever your application needs.
First of all thanks for putting up with all my newbie questions. I definitely appreciate it! THANK YOU ALL, mainly Paul! 
secondly the headers came early! Just soldered it to the shield.
the coordinator xbee when connected to x-ctu, I press "+++" but no response. I tried with the router/end device xbee and it gives the "OK"
?
The CH "Operating Channel" on one is 0 (end device) the second one is 13.
does this matter?
