Sounds about right, and it sounds like you've done a pretty fair job in the installation of everything. A 290 high is very good after a 15 second full power climb. 205 over ambient ain't bad at all. Either at the base of the plug or second fin down, at the rear, close to the top of the actual combustion chanber are the best locations for the thermocouple.

Would you mind sending me a PM with info about your telemetry system? I can never seem to get Eagle Tree to give me all the info I request, along with rough final pricing for a unit similar to yours.