Forgive the apparent ignorance ... I am not an RC expert at all!
I have a very small (1/60 scale) RC Challenger tank, and wonder whether it would be feasible to replace the aerial on the turret with a more in-scale version. The one fitted is very long and thick, and is fitted to next to the rear stowage bin. I would prefer to have it actually fitted to the antenna mount, and be the correct length for the scale of the vehicle. It occurred to me that a suitable alternative would be a length of guitar string. Would the reduction in size affect the efficiency of the signal? (the rating is 27 MHz). Also, would painting the aerial prevent the signal from being received?