You may have some trouble getting enough signal with a loop probe
that's short compared with the line length, but you could easily give
it a try. FWIW, I just made some voltage-doubler diode detectors
using HSMS-285C zero-bias Schottky diodes, and get about 20 microvolts
DC output at -50dBm input at 50 ohms. You could get considerably more
output if you have a resonant pickup. You might also be able to use a
non-contact voltage probe. It should work very well with a diode
detector, for low power, actually. Recommend you make the line at
least 1/2 wave long, so that you can be sure to see both a peak and a
valley, no matter what the phase of the load is. Better still, make
it at least 3/4 wave, so you can see two peaks or two valleys.

Cheers,
Tom

"John Smith" wrote in message hlink.net...
Actually, not slotted. Here's what I have in mind:

Use some 1/16 inch common FR4 two-sided PCB material. The ARRL
UHF/Microwave Experimenter's book shows that a .105 inch wide trace
will have a characteristic impedance of 50 Ohms. For 434 MHz, I will
make it at least 3.6 inches long (velocity factor = .528) but
probably more like 6 or 7 inches long.

Here is where I have a bit of a problem. I need a probe to run along
the .105 inch trace so I can read the (rectified) signal. From the
data I should be able to calculate the load impedance.

I have read that a small current loop placed near the line would
suffice. But would it be too insensitive at low power (10 mW)?
Also, how would I maintain the separation between the probe and line?
Should I use a probe that would contact the line instead?

Mechanical stuff is my weakest point. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

John, KD5YI