ORIGINAL: H5606
That Hitec Rx has performed flawlessly even at 3.7 volts (bad airborne pack cell) far out and at low altitude with the Tx antenna pointed at the model. I guess the other alternative is to make the leap to 2.4 GHz where the Rx antenna is relatively short but I'd like to use what I already have and be able to fly horizon to horizon if I want to. If it means I've got to have that unsightly antenna trailing along behind, then so be it. Its better than losing a model due to range issues.
Oh yeah... or use a whip antenna and do a thorough range check.