The handheld device should be small and portable; it's best to avoid using any additional antennas.
To achieve good results, you can also add a chassis (for the drone and the controller), or use a handheld controller to operate it from a higher position.
For small ranges, use a handheld radio. If the handheld radio doesn't work, switch to a vehicle-mounted radio. There is a significant difference between using a handheld radio and a vehicle-mounted radio.