So can someone tell me... is the fee based on the amount you send?
In the blockchain, the more the transaction weights in vbytes, the more bitcoin you pay. In lightning network, the more bitcoin you send, the more bitcoin you pay.
this is even more of a reason for me to set up a node.
Okay, but note that this still isn't like running in a green meadow. You'll have to run a computer (or RPi) all day long, take channel backups, be aware with who you open a channel with, and you'll still pay some in fees, because you'll always have to pay someone whom you don't share a channel with.