When your r/c aircraft is straight above you that is the weakest signal strength IF you keep the antenna pointed forward. Think of the radio waves as a doughnut shaped with the hole in the middle. That hole is straight above you when the antenna is pointed forward. I think that yes, it will degrade the signal even more, but how much, only a test will tell. All you would have to do would be to tip your controller back so your tablet is vertical, thus pointing your antenna upward if you are flying straight above and as you move away just lower the angle of your antenna. I too like to use a tablet, but would probably consider a different design.