Send button press over RF I'm trying to send a button press over RF (performing a closed circuit operation on the receiving end).

I have a controller with an UP and DOWN button. Unfortunately I am limited to the cable length, and would like to extend it with radio frequency. The controller has one cable for GND and one each for the corresponding UP and DOWN buttons.

The RF units is the typical 433mhz bought online (ebay).

Can I in someway send the signal over RF (directly on the data pin of the transmitter) without hooking it up to a microcontroller (Arduino)?
No. You need a micro-controller at both the sending, and receiving sides.

eBay does set RF remotes with a few buttons. This might be easier and cheaper than making your own.