 
 int counter = 0; //
 int msgCounter = 0; 
+
+radioUtils ru = radioUtils();
 
 void setup () {
   Serial.begin(57600);

      //propagate to parent 
      byte header = B00000000;
      //fill header using radioUtils      
      rf12_sendNow(header, (const void*)rf12_data, rf12_len);
    }
  }

    msgCounter++;
    //send still alive msg
    byte header;
    //fill header using radioUtils    
    ru.resetAck(&header);
    ru.setID(&header, PARENTID);  
    rf12_sendNow(header, (const void*) &msgCounter, sizeof(counter));
    counter = 0;
  }
