Today I received to packets with NRF24l01 pa nla modules.
1 from China (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-Special-promotions-1100-meter-long-distance-NRF24L01-PA-LNA-wireless-modules-1100meters-with-antenna/1622133032.html)
1 from Amazon (https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01CYDXAI4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

both are working perfectly (2 other stores from Aliexpress delivered modules with the st=FAIL issue earlier).
The module from Amazon is rather expensive, but it is shielded (metal body on the pcb).

So if you are looking for working modules, I can recommend the two modules above.

@Denke
If I understand correctly, you are suggesting to combine different sensor types in one thing.
IMHO this would jeopardize the concept of the binding. The binding provides one thing per message type (see https://www.mysensors.org/download/serial_api_15). the thing has one channel per supported sub type.
I also do not see the advantage of combining different sensor/message types in one thing as you need one item per channel anyhow.
=> this would not reduce the number of items needed.

Grouping the items in the site map - as you already did - is the best way here.

Does anybody see this differently?

Today I received to packets with NRF24l01 pa nla modules.
1 from China (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-Special-promotions-1100-meter-long-distance-NRF24L01-PA-LNA-wireless-modules-1100meters-with-antenna/1622133032.html)
1 from Amazon (https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01CYDXAI4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

both are working perfectly (2 other stores from Aliexpress delivered modules with the st=FAIL issue earlier).
The module from Amazon is rather expensive, but it is shielded (metal body on the pcb).

So if you are looking for working modules, I can recommend the two modules above.

Thank you all for your hints.
Unfortunately for me neighter worked (ugly fix, changing PA_LEVEL, decoupling with caps, using stable desktop power source).
It seems, that the Chinese modules are very sensitive.
I decided to give the amplified version a last try and ordered a little more expensive, non chinese (and hopefully better quality) module on Amazon.

If this also does not work, i will set up a repeater network with the nrf24l01+.

By the way, I tried with 4 different pa lna modules from 2 different vendors, directly connected to the nano and also with external power source. Same result in any variant.

Hi,
I have a very similar problem.
I have a sensor network with several nodes and one gateway, all using NRF24l01+. Everything works fine.
Now I want to substitute the NRF24l01+ on the gateway with a NRF24l01 PA NLA to extend range.
If I use the working gateway note and attach the PA NLA version I get ST=fail errors.

Here the gateway log with the NRF24l01+ attached to the gateway:
image url)

And here with the NRF24l01 PA NLA attached (no change in the Arduino Nano code - exactly same Nano used):

For both log I did the same (operating a switch on a sensor node on and off).

Any idea to solve the problem is highly appreciated.

lg, Jürgen