I added this to my sketch and observed serial output:

Serial.print(transportGetReceivingRSSI()); Serial.println(" :transportGetReceivingRSSI()");
Serial.print(transportGetSendingRSSI()); Serial.println(" :transportGetSendingRSSI()");
Serial.print(transportGetReceivingSNR()); Serial.println(" :transportGetReceivingSNR()");
Serial.print(transportGetSendingSNR()); Serial.println(" :transportGetSendingSNR()");
Serial.print(transportGetTxPowerLevel()); Serial.println(" :transportGetTxPowerLevel()");
Serial.print(transportGetTxPowerPercent()); Serial.println(" :transportGetTxPowerPercent()");
Serial.print(transportInternalToRSSI(_transportSM.uplinkQualityRSSI));Serial.println(" :transportInternalToRSSI(_transportSM.uplinkQualityRSSI)");

I don't know if it's a valid way to check the values.

Very useful new feature.
I learned a lesson: I'll be using the nrf24 without booster from now on. Much better range and commmunication.

output from nrf24 with radio set to LOW:

-256 :transportGetReceivingRSSI()
-29 :transportGetSendingRSSI()
-256 :transportGetReceivingSNR()
-256 :transportGetSendingSNR()
-12 :transportGetTxPowerLevel()
25 :transportGetTxPowerPercent()
0 :transportInternalToRSSI(_transportSM.uplinkQualityRSSI)

@siod

new observation: I have two temp nodes with red Htu21d in them. One keeps locking up randomly. Have to go outside and reset the arduino. I'll try another sensor today and see if it fixes things. Have completely rebuild the node twice now with new parts except the sensor.

@siod

I'm assuming your batteries are empty when you say fail ?
I built 5 of these last week for my dads place.
I set internal pullups to LOW and soldered a 3,3MOhm resistor between VCC and Pin2.
I'm seeing around 30µA when sleeping on two fresh AA batteries.
With internal pullups that would be around 1ma and that would indeed drain the batteries quite fast.