RB RF Probe puzzler - any thoughts please?

[Yorkie]

Thanks everyone for your advice and comments, which is much appreciated.

I can understand on the one hand that the probe will rectify the RF waveform and just display a DC voltage, but on the other hand, that doesn't square with the comments and the pics of traces as shown in the clips of the article which I've appended below. The wobbulator article states: "Signal levels can be too low to produce a display on the 'scope. A suitable RF probe to amplify and detect the signal will be described in the next issue of Bygones". Again, that suggests that the output of the probe should produce a display (amplified) on the scope, of an RF waveform.

Yet with regard to C4, Alan, it's role seems to be to ensure that there isn't a waveform at the output of the probe - just a Voltage, because the articles states: "Residual RF is bypassed by C4, and R4 is included to provide a DC current path for the diode network". In other words, any trace of RF still existing at the cathode after rectification by D2 is shunted to chassis by C4, and only the DC voltage passes to the output of the probe. (Which I suppose is a bit like the smoothing & reservoir caps on an HT line from a rectifier smoothing out the 50/100 Hz ripple).

One of these days, enthused by Keith's talk and demo at Golborne, I'll have to use my wobbulator in anger - if need be, minus the probe.

Meanwhile, I'll watch the youtube videos to see if that moves me along the path of enlightenment. If not, I think I'd better book a place in a home for the terminally bewildered!