LoRa Ra-02 Module begin and beginPacket not working in Arduino Nano

Question

Here there, recently I am testing Lora Ra-02 module I saw many videos and it is easy to set up, according to this schematic:

LoRa SX1278 Module-----Arduino Nano Board

3.3V-------

Gnd---------Gnd

En/Nss------D10

G0/DIO0------D2

SCK---------D13

MISO----------D12

MOSI----------D11

RST-------------D9

I am using a very common library called sandeepmistry. and I tried this code:

#include <SPI.h>
#include <LoRa.h>
int counter = 1;
void setup() {
 Serial.begin(9600);
 while (!Serial);
 Serial.println("LoRa Sender");
 if (!LoRa.begin(433E6)) {
 Serial.println("Starting LoRa failed!");
 while (1);
 }
}
void loop() {
 Serial.print("Sending packet: ");
 Serial.println(counter);
 // send packet
 LoRa.beginPacket();
 LoRa.print("hello ");
 LoRa.print(counter);
 LoRa.endPacket();
 counter++;
 delay(500);
}

When I run it, it just sticks in this line {Serial.println("Starting LoRa failed!");}

Then I updated the code and tried to reduce the SPI Frequency because I am using Arduino Nano now the code is this:

#include <SPI.h>
#include <LoRa.h>
int counter = 1;
int frequency = 8E6; // Set the desired frequency here
void setup() {
 Serial.begin(9600);
 while (!Serial);
 Serial.println("LoRa Sender");
 LoRa.setSPIFrequency(frequency); // Add the missing semicolon here
 if (!LoRa.begin(433E6)) {
 Serial.println("Starting LoRa failed!");
 while (1);
 }
}
void loop() {
 Serial.print("Sending packet: ");
 Serial.println(counter);
 // send packet
 LoRa.beginPacket();
 LoRa.print("hello ");
 LoRa.print(counter);
 LoRa.endPacket();
 counter++;
 delay(500);
}

This code passes the line Starting LoRa failed! but it again stuck in here

LoRa Sender Sending packet: 1

So why won't it do LoRa.beginPacket(); and loop the code? Why does it stop here?

Answer 1

Have you set the pins properly? Try doing:

 LoRa.setPins(csPin, resetPin, irqPin);// set CS, reset, IRQ pin

There is a problem with the way your SX1276 is connected to the board, which is why .begin() returns false.

• giri: By saying csPin - do you mean SS pin?? and irq - DIO0 pin?

Answer 2

From my experience, I was facing exact same error!!

After reviewing lot of forums and troubleshooting session, I've identified the root cause - I was connecting the Arduino Uno / Nano board to my laptop which was receiving a 5V supply. As Arduino boards (when connected to higher current source), always supplies 5V power from the 3.3V pin, in my case the LoRa module was receiving 5V power supply!! As the LoRa module can't handle the 5V power, it was throwing error.

After using a Level Shifter and connecting to Arduino Nano board, I was able to fix the error!!

Hoping my response would be helpful for someone facing similar issue!!

• Juraj: you have a board which has 5 V on pin labeled as 3.3 V pin? that is very wrong.
• giri: @Juraj - I've an official arduino board, can't say the incorrect pin issue. However, It was mentioned in the Official Arduino forums that 3.3V pin emits 5V if connected to higher current - please follow this link - forum.arduino.cc/t/using-lora-with-arduino-nano/1266604
• Juraj: you misunderstood one or more things there. 1) io pins are 5 V. 2) 3.3 V pin can't supply enough current
• giri: FYI - forum.arduino.cc/t/using-lora-with-arduino-nano/1266604/15
• giri: @Juraj Could you please elaborate ?? if either 5V or 3.3V can't supply enough current, then why are we connecting 3.3V arduino pin with 3.3V pin LoRa ??