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  3. RF Nano = Nano + NRF24, for just $3,50 on Aliexpress

RF Nano = Nano + NRF24, for just $3,50 on Aliexpress

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  • alowhumA Offline
    alowhumA Offline
    alowhum
    Plugin Developer
    wrote on last edited by
    #39

    @scalz You're kinda right, but not 100%.

    I have two of the boards. The one I thought was broken (radio would not even init) does now work, and works totally fine.

    The other device actually worked without having to set the datarate to 1Mbps, but only if I enabled the verbose debug. It now also works without the verbose debug.. but only on the third attempt to connect to the gateway. For the first 20 seconds it will just give FPAR NO REPLY. Then, somehow, it starts to connect.

    For this node, if I add the verbose debug line it connects right away. So there's still something going on where adding the verbose option improves how the radio functions. And of course I wasn't the first to have this strange issue.

    I get your point about not wanting to support counterfeit radio modules. But on the other hand, there are a lot of them out there, and supporting them could also just be a case of accepting the messiness that is reality. If a small delay (or whatever it is that the verbose debug does) can make a lot of cheap modules work, is it really that bad of an idea to add something like that as an option?

    Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • alowhumA alowhum

      @scalz You're kinda right, but not 100%.

      I have two of the boards. The one I thought was broken (radio would not even init) does now work, and works totally fine.

      The other device actually worked without having to set the datarate to 1Mbps, but only if I enabled the verbose debug. It now also works without the verbose debug.. but only on the third attempt to connect to the gateway. For the first 20 seconds it will just give FPAR NO REPLY. Then, somehow, it starts to connect.

      For this node, if I add the verbose debug line it connects right away. So there's still something going on where adding the verbose option improves how the radio functions. And of course I wasn't the first to have this strange issue.

      I get your point about not wanting to support counterfeit radio modules. But on the other hand, there are a lot of them out there, and supporting them could also just be a case of accepting the messiness that is reality. If a small delay (or whatever it is that the verbose debug does) can make a lot of cheap modules work, is it really that bad of an idea to add something like that as an option?

      Nca78N Offline
      Nca78N Offline
      Nca78
      Hardware Contributor
      wrote on last edited by Nca78
      #40

      @alowhum said in RF Nano = Nano + NRF24, for just $3,50 on Aliexpress:

      For this node, if I add the verbose debug line it connects right away. So there's still something going on where adding the verbose option improves how the radio functions. And of course I wasn't the first to have this strange issue.

      I get your point about not wanting to support counterfeit radio modules. But on the other hand, there are a lot of them out there, and supporting them could also just be a case of accepting the messiness that is reality. If a small delay (or whatever it is that the verbose debug does) can make a lot of cheap modules work, is it really that bad of an idea to add something like that as an option?

      Well it's still some funky behaviour from the radio, when using a non-related option or random delays are able to activate some kind of "black magic" inside the radio module to make it run (somehow) as expected.
      There's already some support for fake radio modules in MySensors I think, @scalz was talking about support for fake 328p that seem to be used sometimes, like the LGT8f used in defunct Wemos XI and LGT Nano.

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

        @david-abbott nice work.

        Maybe the nrf is a nrf24l01 (without + at the end)? They only support 1 and 2 mbit, not 250kbps.

        fruijsF Offline
        fruijsF Offline
        fruijs
        wrote on last edited by
        #41

        @mfalkvidd I just checked it under a microscope and you are wright, it's a nrf24L01 without the "+". I just desoldered the nrf24L01 off the RF-Nano board and put a nrf24L01+ in place and now it works also on 250kbps.

        1 Reply Last reply
        4
        • bjacobseB Offline
          bjacobseB Offline
          bjacobse
          wrote on last edited by bjacobse
          #42

          very interesting thread to read to understand all those bloody counterfeit HW
          and also how you managed to find out - and good that Mysensors sw provide a good logfile for investigating

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • alowhumA Offline
            alowhumA Offline
            alowhum
            Plugin Developer
            wrote on last edited by
            #43

            @bjacobse Indeed, MySensors rocks.

            I've ordered 10 more for a workshop, and they arrived in about a week! They come in boxes of 5. I've tested a few, and they all work.

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • C Offline
              C Offline
              chickey
              wrote on last edited by chickey
              #44

              How are people getting on with these boards, mine just arrived today so doing a bit of testing. I wanted one as a replacement gateway for home assistant. I've got it working at 1mb and the pin changes suggested above, just wondered how they worked out for people in practice over the long term.

              I also wanted to mention that there is another option although it would work out more expensive

              https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Keywish-Nano-Terminal-Expansion-Adapter-Board-for-Arduino-Nano-V3-0-AVR-ATMEGA328P-with-NRF2401-Expansion/32957033159.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.6df84c4dcMws6c

              1 Reply Last reply
              1
              • alowhumA Offline
                alowhumA Offline
                alowhum
                Plugin Developer
                wrote on last edited by
                #45

                @chickey said in RF Nano = Nano + NRF24, for just $3,50 on Aliexpress:

                https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Keywish-Nano-Terminal-Expansion-Adapter-Board-for-Arduino-Nano-V3-0-AVR-ATMEGA328P-with-NRF2401-Expansion/32957033159.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.6df84c4dcMws6c

                That expansion board does not contain a Nano itself. It's just an expansion, in the same style at the existing Nano Wireless Boards? I prefer those, since they have Dupont pins, including a GND and VCC pin for every digital and analog pin. (But these are not compatible with the RF Nano). Those are $1.5.

                The RF Nano's are doing fine over here. I'm waiting for 10 normal $1 expansion boards to arrive.

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • berkseoB Offline
                  berkseoB Offline
                  berkseo
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #46

                  Attention!!! These modules are equipped with radio chips nrf24l01 (without +)...do not operate at 250kbit speed

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  1
                  • alowhumA Offline
                    alowhumA Offline
                    alowhum
                    Plugin Developer
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #47

                    We know :-)

                    I just bought 70 the other day, they are so useful for workshops. And since you can use them at maximum power their range is acceptable too.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • Mark SwiftM Offline
                      Mark SwiftM Offline
                      Mark Swift
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #48

                      Just got 4 of these, happy to say they're all '+' models and connect without issues, bingo!

                      fruijsF 1 Reply Last reply
                      2
                      • Mark SwiftM Mark Swift

                        Just got 4 of these, happy to say they're all '+' models and connect without issues, bingo!

                        fruijsF Offline
                        fruijsF Offline
                        fruijs
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #49

                        @mark-swift Do you have a link of your supplier?

                        Mark SwiftM 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • fruijsF fruijs

                          @mark-swift Do you have a link of your supplier?

                          Mark SwiftM Offline
                          Mark SwiftM Offline
                          Mark Swift
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #50

                          @fruijs I bought them here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32980796969.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.61584c4dSzvgS3

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • D Offline
                            D Offline
                            Dustin Thurston
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #51

                            I previously purchased from the exact product link listed by @Mark-Swift and confirmed they are not + models.

                            Mark SwiftM 1 Reply Last reply
                            1
                            • D Dustin Thurston

                              I previously purchased from the exact product link listed by @Mark-Swift and confirmed they are not + models.

                              Mark SwiftM Offline
                              Mark SwiftM Offline
                              Mark Swift
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #52

                              @dustin-thurston Mine are certainly plus models, as they connect at 250kbps without issue (nor do they need debug turned on).

                              D 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Mark SwiftM Mark Swift

                                @dustin-thurston Mine are certainly plus models, as they connect at 250kbps without issue (nor do they need debug turned on).

                                D Offline
                                D Offline
                                Dustin Thurston
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #53

                                Can others report their luck? I hate to purchase again and get same result. Especially when seller was non-responsive.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                2
                                • T Offline
                                  T Offline
                                  torfinn
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #54

                                  Hi ! Got a couple of these. Hard to say if its + chip ( but I guess not ). Anyway I am not able to get them running a simple test sketch. Only get RBR:REG=23, VAL=17

                                  Z 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • T torfinn

                                    Hi ! Got a couple of these. Hard to say if its + chip ( but I guess not ). Anyway I am not able to get them running a simple test sketch. Only get RBR:REG=23, VAL=17

                                    Z Offline
                                    Z Offline
                                    zen85
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #55

                                    @torfinn
                                    i had to set
                                    #define MY_RF24_CE_PIN 10
                                    #define MY_RF24_CS_PIN 9
                                    on mine (definetly not + btw) a while back....

                                    T 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • fruijsF Offline
                                      fruijsF Offline
                                      fruijs
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #56

                                      I just got my order of 3, this time I got the nRF24L01+ version.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      1
                                      • alowhumA Offline
                                        alowhumA Offline
                                        alowhum
                                        Plugin Developer
                                        wrote on last edited by alowhum
                                        #57

                                        :-D Now I wish I hadn't bought 70 of the old version already.

                                        They're working well though, very happy with them. Great for workshops.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • Z zen85

                                          @torfinn
                                          i had to set
                                          #define MY_RF24_CE_PIN 10
                                          #define MY_RF24_CS_PIN 9
                                          on mine (definetly not + btw) a while back....

                                          T Offline
                                          T Offline
                                          torfinn
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #58

                                          @zen85 Thanks I got it to work but if I add #define MY_DEBUG_VERBOSE_RF24 i still get RBR:REG=23, VAL=17 filling the console....

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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