I haven't heard or seen that JR gets more hits. Sorry you guys are having that problem.
What I don't like about JR for a student is that the system is powered when the buddy cord is plugged in. Forget to pull the cord and you drain the batteries on the transmitter.
I also wish students would visit the local field before the hobby shop, then again some students dont listen to us, and have probs interfacing the buddy system.
My first student took his radio back and got Fatuba he got lucky there was a problem with the trainer switch. This was after he was told he may have problems with our equipment and any other brand besides Futaba.