nRF24 modules just won't work, struggling with code

I suggest you get the radio set working outside the context of your project.

Use code you did not write, and a circuit that is designed to go with it.

Slavishly reproduce a known good pair of sketches.

You can google, there are a few sites that cover everything.

Here's a favorite

Typical issues are… having the radio set too close together, and power supply inadequacies.

Even as simple (conceptually) as what you are trying to do, it is of inestimable value to get basic comms up and running before you start adding your own functionality.

And I am compelled to say, if chatGPT has been the only source of you code, just toss it. chatGPT can be amazing, but it does appear so far to not be that good at the special purpose programming involved with microprocessors.

a7