In a linear magnetoplasma, excited with RF-waves in the region of the lower hybrid resonance, radial power density profiles are recorded by use of a modulation technique involving time-resolved intensity measurements of He I spectral lines. Computations of these profiles within the framework of a linear fluid description-neglecting temperature and density gradients-show typical geometric structures, which are not verified by the observations. Discrepancies are resolved if anomalous plasma resistivity is taken into account. This behaviour is characterized by an effective collision frequency nu eff for momentum loss, the value of which can be determined by comparing the experimental data with the theoretical predictions. The plasma loading resistances calculated with nu eff are in good agreement with the results of electrical measurements.