You are correct Dave, I did not get much out of your response. Again,
my knowledge and experience level is such that I have no idea what a
lumped circuit constant is.

What is the current flow as it leaves the transceiver, down each of the
two pieces of the coax, in very fundamental terms ? Is there a picture
or an animation you can point me to so that I may visualize what is
actually happening (assuming no impedance mismatch).

I am having difficulty visualizing the current flow in the circuit.
Going beyond that with a description of other activity and components
and variables, is not what I am hoping to understand initially. When
you say "current at the base of the antenna is high", that still does
not help me visualize what is actually, fundamentally happening.
Current is flowing, ok, I assume up and down the coax on both
conductors (+ and -) and into the antenna elements. Referring back to
my original post, for the 1/4~ vertical, current is flowing into the
vertical radiator via the coax center conductor and into the ground
radials from the inside face of the coax shield. I seem to think that
current is also flowing into the radials from other sources, but input
from the tail end of the radials. Now what.? Does the current flow go
back to the source (the transceiver) and then turn around and combine
with more current coming out of the transceiver ? What for ? Why is
current flowing into the radials from the transceiver - what purpose ?
I can see the purpose of current flowing into the upright vertical
element and being radiated. I don't understand the PURPOSE and
disposition of current flowing into the radials from either source.

I really want to understand this fundamental concept but seem to have
difficulty explaining myself because the responses are not anywhere
near what I need explained in a very basic way.

If you would please take another shot at explaining what you think I am
asking, it would be appreciated.

Same thing for Cecil. Just a very, very clear, basic explanation of
the current flow in both pieces of the coax, into the antenna elements
(on the vertical, the antenna 'elements' are the vertical radiator and
the ground radials).

sincere thanks for any repsonse.

73, dennis