[TowerTalk] Fwd: Peak Voltage at the tips of ants ?

[Dennis OConnor]

Some wild speculation posted here. 
Do I know what the voltage is at the tip for a 1500w PEP drive? Nope.I'm just a brain dead old ham.
What I know is that the voltage is not "infinite because the current flow is zero", as postulated..The current flow is not zero for more than one reason..There is coupling from tip to tip. Coupling from tip(s) to ground.Coupling from tip(s) to feed line.And probably other couplings. 
So there will be current flow - even if far down in magnitude compared to the radiated power.  
We can only discuss the magnitude and phase angle of I.

There is also a reflection at the tip and a return wave front traveling from tip back to source. i.e. current flow.A dip into Reflections III (RIP Walt) will give you a thorough discussion of this and the difference between the reflected standing wave of a short versus the reflected standing wave of an open. And this can be measured through observing the position of the standing wave.

I know the forward traveling wave on the antenna has not radiated all of its power at the quarter wave point from the feed line.If it had radiated all its power by then and reached zero voltage with zero current flow then an End Fed Half Wave, EDZ, Bazooka and other abominations, would be a total waste of wire/aluminum. The full wave loop antenna would not work.


I know that the ends of a dipole bite like hell leaving a burnt trench in a finger. I know that a dipole fed with 1500 watts requires a good insulator. on the ends to keep[ from. I know that the end of an EFHW  and other long (relative to wavelength) radiators need a good insulator.
Now, the experts can chime in. 


Doc / k8do