[bchcky]

i cant quite help you with how long you should go, depends on how far away you will be from everyone, and how good the antenna you end up with is in the first place. but i can tell you, if you get a long one, which would be a whip antenna, you could always tie the top end down somewhere, forming an arch. you'll still get the same reception, it just wont be as high and knocking trees and stuff.

and i've looked around, you can get one at radio shack for 20-30 bucks depending on what you want. dont overspend.