Perfect, Jack.
The system is working perfectly over USB. I have confirmed the code transmission is correct, received correctly, the IR emitter is being driven correctly. But since the Arduinos cannot communicate directly (yet) I am manually sending the decoded signal that I get from the IR receiving Arduino, to the IR sending Arduino using the "Send" function of CoolTerm. I can see the signal generated by the sending Arduino in the same IR decoder, and I can turn a TV on and off with this signal.
So I guess I am ready to do the wireless. All I should need to do is switch the jumpers to the RF position from the USB position. Is there any way to monitor the transmission at this point, i.e. I will no longer have USB connection to either Arduino, how will I debug it if it doesn't work correctly right out of the chute?
OMG, this is so exciting...