I use long antennas ($20 each) on foam blocks:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tg8GHbnkDu3Lj7t78

Range:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12rM...w?usp=drivesdk

Installing a short antenna next to a conductive item about the size of the antenna can interfere with the antenna performance. I attached a short antenna diagonally on a steel tube in a towplane and got abysmal performance.