I agree with your theory. I once had a vertical with one horizontal radial which
was about two feet off the ground. It was fed with open wire line.
The design came from the ARRL handbook. To me it would
be similar to an inverted Vee set in an odd position, and the HV should be
present at the end of the radial however I never really did anything to
check it out with respect to HV at the end -- maybe just as well!

Irv

Rick wrote:

I've never heard of radial ends setting anything on fire. I'm
interested in seeing more replies to your question.

Well, let's think of it this way. You sure wouldn't grab hold of the end of a
quarter wave vertical with a kilowatt of power applied to it. Same for the
end of a single raised radial because it would have similar high voltage on
it, would it not? We would put a big old insulator on it to support it if
this was our antenna configuration, right?
Ok, say we laid the one radial made of insulated wire on the ground. Now the
earth would detune it ???????? Would it still have extremely high voltage at
the end? And if so, could it arc to earth? That was my question. I really
dont have 1 radial at the present time, I have 20 so the current divides 1:20
and the resultant voltage at the end of each radial may be nothing to be
concerned about. I don't know, that why I asked on this cold winter night.

Rick K2XT

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Irv Finkleman,
Grampa/Ex-Navy/Old Fart/Ham Radio VE6BP
Calgary, Alberta, Canada