Radio frequency power amplifier protection system

A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier protection system for a radio. The protection system utilizes a resistive tap connected to the drain of a power amplifier transistor and a high speed voltage detector. The protection system uses short, low-power tests pulses to determine the quality of an antenna load upon tuning the radio to an RF carrier frequency by transmitting the short test pulse. If the measured voltage value exceeds a calibrated value, the power of the RF transmitter is reduced for subsequent operation or the RF transmitter is shut down completely. The invention also includes a system and method for detecting when an antenna is disconnected from a radio using an low frequency AC signal to measure the resistance of an antenna connected to an RF transmitter.