I've been trying RF communication for sometime and have tried all the arduino RF examples and nothing seems to work. I've tried 3 different pairs of transmitters and receivers and it still doesnt work. The reciever is receiving a lot of junk even if i transmit data continuosly. Any suggestions on step by step troubleshooting. At the moment, I'm plugging it in to the computer's serial port and checking.
Are you sure the BAUD rates match between the serial port and the RF device?
You didn't mention which RF devices you are using.
I have been using the MaxStream XBee devices and have not had any problems.
My application hints are at Loading...
(* jcl *)
I had those woes when I started using my cheap ass rf modules but I eventually got them to work. There will be lots of noise on the receiver. You have to structure a data packet to your liking in order to send and receive data successfully. Here's what I send when I want to send just one byte of data:
1st byte - sync byte (to tell the receiving arduino to pay attention)
2nd byte - address (to where do I want to send this data[may not need this])
3rd byte - actual data byte you want to send
4th byte - some kind of checksum.
This setup is the most simplest of setups and it works great for me. I have two arduinos talking wirelessly across my entire house. Make sure you have antennas on both the transmitter and receiver and make sure it's the right length for the frequency you are using.
What rf modules are you currently working with ?
Mark
Cheap ass chinese RF modules 
lol 
Try cheaper bleep bleep RF modules
All joking aside, if you can post pictures, diagrams, model numbers and your code it would help a great deal
No pictures as of the moment. The reciever has a IC from HIMARK RX3310A LF
Reciever model : PCR 2A from ASK
Transmitter : FS 1000 A from ASK
They both have only 3 pins - The antennae is soldered. Plus i can see the other pins (additional ground and Vcc being shorted on the board to reduce pins)
Is VirtualWire applicable?
--Phil.
tried it.. doesnt work