   if(SERIAL_DEBUG) Serial.println("send energy");
   // source sends energy, as 0, meaning 0 distance to source
   // Note: using distance 1, because initial pulse is read as 0
-  char distance = 1;
+  uint8_t distance = 1;
   for (int i=0; i<NUM_CONN; i++) txWrite(i, distance);
   addTimer(100, sendEnergy);
 }

  }
}

void parseMessage(int busIndex, int message) {
  switch(message) {
    case ALERT: // button is pressed
      if (!isSource && !alertState) {

  return *rxPortRegister[busIndex] & rxBitMask[busIndex];
}

void txWrite(int busIndex, uint8_t value) {
  // writeCounter++;
  // if(writeCounter < MAX_WRITES) return;
  if(SERIAL_DEBUG) {
