Radios differ as to the proper ground range test...

Some are to be extended one joint, others not... My Futaba 9C is NOT to extended at all...

However it DOES state not to run the transmitter for any lengthy period of time without the antenna extended.

So for setting up a plane I often extend out the two bottom (largest) sections... That keeps it short enough to make it manageable indoors, but gives the transmitter "enough" antenna so as not to heat it up.


Range testing should be done as stated in the specific manual. For radios requiring the antenna be completely down, the 5-10 minute process isn't enough to harm the radio.

Take care...