Topband: "return" current - what is it?

[K4SAV]

Tom W8JI wrote:
> If you use enough segments so the program calculates small steps along 
> length, and a ground independent current source, you'll find current on each 
> side of the feedpoint exactly equal no matter what resistance you insert.
>
>   

Yes current on each side of the feedpoint is always the same but you 
can't see that with an NEC measurement because you are always measuring 
one segment away from the feedpoint and when the current distribution in 
the wires are not equal, there will always be a difference.  Using many 
segments will cause the difference to be small but never zero (unless 
the current distribution on each side of the antenna is symmetrical).  
This is the information Bob was missing.

Jerry, K4SAV