X9E Antenna SWR/RAS?

[Old Swashplate]

I've been venturing out much further with my quads than I normally do with my helis and I'm noticing my RSSI drops below 50 after 100-150'. This is LOS @ 75' AGL so there's nothing blocking my signal. It's the same in all orientations. So.... I've been surfing the net and saw an article somewhere about antennas and SWR. It got me thinking so I checked my X9E and the SWR (called RAS in the radio menu) is reading 17-18 with the stock stubby antenna when ideally it should be around 1. I've tried three other FrSky X9E antennas I keep for replacements, same results. I then tried a FrSky standard length 2.4 dipole module antenna and it will show an RAS of 1 but the RSSI doesn't improve. I'm using new R-XSR receivers, antennas oriented @ 90* up on the rear of the quad with a 3D printed antenna mount that came on it. I also saw somewhere in my searching (Thingverse?) 3D printed antenna mounts for the X9E that eliminated the handle and basically mounts the antennas where the handle was (eliminating any interference from the metal in the handle?). Are the low RSSI/RAS numbers normal at that distance/altitude? I never notice low numbers with my two helis (X6R receivers) but I've never let them get very far away. I'm planning on going to an R9 system on my quads after the holidays anyway, just wondering if that's normal 2.4ghz behavior or maybe somethings wrong with the internal module in my TX? I always thought 2.4 systems were supposed to have a range of ~1km or more. Hmmm....

JW

EDIT: After thinking about it and doing more antenna research I've reworked my antenna mounting to a horizontal 180* configuration (I've attached a pic) instead of the 90* offset I had. This matches the horizontal antenna orientation on my X9E. Never gave the antenna mounting a lot of thought, just used the holes that would have kept the wires as far from the props as possible. I'm confident the 180* mounting should help the RSSI numbers some but I'm still concerned about the RAS number. I'll try to test the new antenna setup if I get time tomorrow and post the results.

 

[Old Swashplate]

UPDATE: It was rainy and breezy so no flying today BUT...I did do a quick range check this afternoon. The RSSI stayed above 65 @ 35 paces even when I turned 90* to my right and was basically pointing the end of the TX antenna at the quad (90* out of phase?). I believe I'll get much better RSSI numbers from now on. I think I've made 'Noob Mistake #9'....."not paying close attention to antenna placement". RAS is unchanged, stays @ 17 and goes way up when I cup my hand over the antenna (expected), returns to 17 when I remove my hand (expected). At the end of the day, I guess as long as I get better/acceptable RSSI numbers at altitude I'll ignore the RAS being high. I'm trying real hard not to go down the 'antenna rabbit hole'....for now.

JW