Brian,

I know it's been mentioned several times on this thread, but you can get a module to convert your IR signal to an RF. The RF receiver will shoot it back at the source with all the IR you'll ever need! Look through the thread, the link is there as well as a 'do it yourself' IR to RF module.

Dan K.
"PDD'S PDA'S AS URC" is kinda catchy :-D