Lee has hit it on the range check. Start with the ECU unplugged and see where you are at. If the receiver antenna was coiled up during the check then that could be the biggest problem. I am really hoping that pic was taken during the gear up process and you didn't forget to unwrap the antenna.

Also my first guess is try a new receiver. I am not able to tell if that is a 940 receiver, but if it is they were not necessarily known for being the best in that series. The old 950 (even though a single conversion receiver) was much better in the turbine environment over the 940. The newer 945 is ten times better than the old 940. I would try switching to one of the newer receivers and see what you get. I normally see at least 100 paces with engine running and antenna removed from the tranasmitter. But I will say that I am at a very clean RF field.

I have no experience with the Merlin you are running but am guessing the ECU probably isn't the big culprit here. I am staying with the receiver right now as my guess.