# Nano -\> ESP32 a big leap **URL:** \ **Category:** 3rd Party Boards\ **Created:** [March 15, 2026, 12:13pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336 "2026-03-15T12:13:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 11:52am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/21 "2026-03-16T11:52:42Z")
Do you need WiFi? ---
**Author:** ![Brazilino](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/brazilino/32/1198404_2.png) [@Brazilino](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Brazilino)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 12:35pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/22 "2026-03-16T12:35:39Z")
> [@scarr999](#): > > I have been using NANO’s for years as most projects are very simple, however I had a need to 3.3v logic levels > [@scarr999](#): > > so only need Tx/Rx and a couple of other I/O. There are 3V3 Arduino Nanos. The 33 series are 3V3: Nano 33 IoT, Nano 33 BLE and its sense version. They keep the same footprint of the classic Nano. ---
**Author:** ![scarr999](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/scarr999/32/1013044_2.png) [@scarr999](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/scarr999)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 9:15pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/23 "2026-03-16T21:15:56Z")
Thanks, OK I’ve ordered one but still trying with this ESP32-S3-Zero I have, after all it’s all learning isn’t it 🙂 So I have uploaded this code, I have scoped the Tx from the RD-03D and I can see data, RD-03D Tx → ESP32 Rx, ESP32 Tx → RD-03D Rx, RD-03D 5v to ESP32 5v, RD-03D GND to ESP32 GND. I see the “Reading raw data packets...” but it then just sits there. ```arduino #include // Define pins for the ESP32-S3-Zero #define RADAR_RX 1 #define RADAR_TX 2 // Use Serial1 for the radar sensor // Serial (USB) is used for the Serial Monitor HardwareSerial RadarSerial(1); void setup() { // 1. Initialize USB Serial for debugging Serial.begin(115200); while(!Serial); // Wait for Serial Monitor to open // 2. Initialize Radar Serial at the required 256000 bps // The RD-03D uses 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit (8N1) RadarSerial.begin(256000, SERIAL_8N1, RADAR_RX, RADAR_TX); Serial.println("RD-03D Radar Initialised at 256000 bps"); Serial.println("Reading raw data packets..."); } void loop() { // Forward data from Radar to Serial Monitor if (RadarSerial.available()) { while (RadarSerial.available()) { uint8_t byteIn = RadarSerial.read(); // Print as Hexadecimal since RD-03D sends binary packets if (byteIn < 0x10) Serial.print("0"); Serial.print(byteIn, HEX); Serial.print(" "); } Serial.println(); // New line for each batch of data } } ``` ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 9:19am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/25 "2026-03-17T09:19:52Z")
> [@scarr999](#): > > RD-03D 5v to ESP32 5v, Shouldn't that be 3.3V. Wasn't the whole point of using the ESP32 because it is 3.3V? ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 9:30am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/26 "2026-03-17T09:30:19Z")
RX and TX are he default UART0 pins. The ones you have selected are GPIO1 and GPIO2. They are marked 1 and 2 on your board. ---
**Author:** ![scarr999](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/scarr999/32/1013044_2.png) [@scarr999](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/scarr999)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 9:53am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/27 "2026-03-17T09:53:36Z")
This was the power from the ESP32 to the RD-03D ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 10:06am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/28 "2026-03-17T10:06:17Z")
Are the I/Os of the RD-03 3.3V with a 5V supply? If they are then try using the correct TX/RX pins. How do you know the baudrate? ---
**Author:** ![scarr999](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/scarr999/32/1013044_2.png) [@scarr999](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/scarr999)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/29 "2026-03-17T13:19:24Z")
Yes, all I/O are 3.3v with a 5b supply, I have changed the pins as you suggested in #26 and it’s fully working now :-) really appreciate your help 👍 ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/30 "2026-03-17T13:22:04Z")
So I asked if you needed WiFi, if not I see no need to use an ESP32. ---
**Author:** ![scarr999](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/scarr999/32/1013044_2.png) [@scarr999](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/scarr999)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/31 "2026-03-17T15:02:29Z")
Sorry, No I don’t need WiFi but I felt it time to leap into ESP32’s as they are cheap and powerful, been putting it off way to long :-) ---
**Author:** ![oldcurmudgeon](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/oldcurmudgeon/32/1280882_2.png) [@oldcurmudgeon](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/oldcurmudgeon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/32 "2026-03-17T15:40:08Z")
> [@scarr999](#): > > No I don’t need WiFi but I felt it time to leap into ESP32’s as they are cheap and powerful If you don't need WiFi or Bluetooth you may want to look at the Raspberry PI PICO. Also powerful and even cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/system/32/1140315_2.png) [@system](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/system)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/nano-esp32-a-big-leap/1435336/33 "2026-09-13T15:40:30Z")
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