(ignore the mega under the batteries) After several intense troubleshooting days i finally got a prototype working off 2xAA batteries using a dc dc boost convertor to up the volts to 5v for the distance sensor and then a 3v3 regulator to drop it down again for the power amplified NRF24L01+ radio module ! each module: power, rf, & distance can be separately turned on by the 328p as needed and off for low power sleep.