Simple RF Power Meter

Many beginners trying out their skill with QRP TX, for the first time have to overcome many problems before they are able to come on the air. On usual complaint is that, every thing is working fine but the signal is not going out. Here is a simple set up which will enable them to measure the out put power of their transmitter. All that they require is a good multimeter which has a sensitivety of 20k ohms/4 Watts which is adequate for low power transmitters. The 8k resistor should be kept close to the out put terminal of the transmitter. Switch on the transmitter in the CW mode and measure the DC voltage with the multimeter. If the voltage is V then the out put power is given by
Power = V²/50

The circuit can handle up to 5 Watts. Above this the diode may go QRT. All components should be mounted as close as possible.