RE: Antenna wire
Just hang it out the back. The extra convenience of a short antenna isn't worth the extra expense of a 2.4 GHz setup. It doesn't affect flight performance and you can barely see it in the air. Some people swear by 2.4 GHz, but I've never had a single glitch or problem with 72 MHZ FM. 40 MHz FM is a different story.
The antennas can be cut shorter, and there are multiple threads on this in the radio gear forum, but you do it at your own risk and its usually not recommended. I have done it and not noticed any difference. There may be a reduction in range, but I haven't flown the plane far enough away 'yet' for it to be a problem.