RE: Hitec receivers?
Rich, I am just going to through an idea out to you. Are you wanting to use the other channels? If so I recently read a post where someone gave instuctions on how to add 2 channels to a hitec 555 micro receiver. You solder an extension that then exits out the side of the receiver case. This would definetly save you some room and would probably give you access to the other 2 channels.
I havent had any problems with Hitec receivers either and would also be interested in the info comparing them with some of the other brands.