A telemetry component according to an embodiment of the invention, such as a programmer or a monitor for an implantable medical device ("IMD"), includes at least one radio frequency ("RF") antenna that is configured to accommodate far-field telemetry between the telemetry component and the IMD. The RF antenna is shaped, sized, positioned, and otherwise configured to account for surface current cancellation caused by induced surface current on an electrically conductive surface of the telemetry component.