I don't always range check because I always have a good charge on my batteries and "baby my equipment".
I really have been trying to get in the habit, and I will from now on. I had my 6 Channel, non computer radio, have a solder connection crack at the antennea/circuit board connection. I crashed a plane on a Sat. and took the blame. (pilot error)? The following Wed I did a range check before flying again, and both planes I had "got the gitters" at about 50 feet .. antennea down. At 300 feet, ant. UP... same thing. Both planes are on the same channel so I knew it was the radio. Soooo..... ya gotta check 'em every time!! I was able to repair the plane and even though I had some extra expense it was a good lesson. If I would have skipped that range check that next Wed, I would have put another one in. ........... lownslo.........

Bob