Hi Steve,
What kind of RED system do you have? Is it an H-field or E-field or do you have both kits?
The H-field amplifier & ferrite antenna does need to be located away from the controller board. You must use shielded Cat5e/6 cabling for this purpose. I have mine about 50-feet away from the controller and have great noise levels (small that is). I also have an E-field kit. The E-field antenna & associated pre-amp are located in the same enclosure as the H-field antenna/amplifier. The E-field is connected via a 50-foot length of RG-6 coax to the controller board which is located in my office.