The antenna needs to be fully collapsed when you do your range check. Although you don't want to leave it collapsed for an extended length of time. Remember that the antenna is made to radiate energy (radio waves) and when you collapse the antenna it has no place to radiate that energy, so it turns into heat in the circuitry which can fry it. But having your antenna down for a couple of minutes for a range check won't hurt it.

Another important part of a range check is for the engine to be running (make sure the plane is secured). Sometimes problems in the receiver can't be seen without the vibrations from the engine.

Your range check should be from about 100' away. There should be NO jittering of your control surfaces at that distance. Also, all of the control surfaces should respond correctly at that distance. If you have jitters or no movement DO NOT fly your plane. First make basic checks to see if there is something obvious causing the loss of signal, i.e. receiver antenna not extended fully, battery charge low, loose connections on servos. If you can't find the cause then you need to pack up your radio and send it in for service. Ignoring problems in a range check will only result in a crashed plane.

Hope this helps

Ken