2KM Long Range RF link kits w/ encoder and decoder

I’m too having issues in making this work. The transmitter seems to be transmitting when a “button” is pressed. I powered it from a 9V battery.

Problem is the receiver that don’t receive anything. The “demo project” show receiver module being powered from 9V too but the RX3400 on board works on 5v only (it is not 9V tolerant) and I don’t see any regulation on board (not that I can tell for sure with this small smd’s) and I see that Vdd is connected to PD pin directly so I’m reluctant to connect the RX module to 9V. Connecting it to 5V does not show anything on any of the output pins VT nor D(0:3).

I tried to take the RX and TX modules further apart (5m is the max to stay in same room) - no go.

anyone have any ideas?