Topband: A word from the moderator

[Wes Attaway (N5WA)]

One method of circuit analysis uses the algebraic sum of currents at a
circuit node (sum of currents "entering" and "leaving").  I think this is
how you have approach the problem.  It has been over 50-years since I was in
EE school but I do know that current doesn't just appear or disappear for no
reason.  I think the "return current" statement is a reflection of the "sum
of currents" analysis idea.

------------------- Wes Attaway (N5WA) ------------------ 
1138 Waters Edge Circle, Shreveport, LA 71106 
    318-797-4972 (Office) - 318-393-3289 (Cell) 
        Computer Consulting and Forensics 
-------------- EnCase Certified Examiner --------------- 


-----Original Message-----
From: topband-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Tree
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 10:54 PM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Topband: A word from the moderator


Just wanted to thank everyone for allowing a debate to take place here 
without it turning into a huge flame war.  It's so easy for these things
to turn into something personal.  I encourage everyone to try and keep
their posts centered on the issue being discussed.  

So far - I have only seen one UNSUBSCRIBE request as a result of the 
current discussion.  

I do have a technical opinion on the subject - but I think I will keep
quiet about it for now.  I am talking to some PHDs at work and using this
as an opportunity to learn something new - and also impress them with 
how much I have thought about this "problem".  

One thing to think about in this discussion - is where the current "goes"
as it diminishes as you work your way along a 1/4 wave wire (let's not
bring the inductor into it just now for this discussion).  I have never
really thought about this - but one of our signal integrity engineers
quickly said "return current".  Thinking about that - I guess it is 
pretty obvious that the current in the ground connection of a vertical
near the feedpoint is equal to the current going to the antenna element.

Return current can also be thought of as radiation.  Probably radiation 
resistance enters into this somewhere - but I am not smart enough yet 
to understand how that works.  :-)

Tree N6TR
_______________________________________________
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK