In article , Roy Lewallen
wrote:
The problems you're encountering are the result of trying to
oversimplify electromagnetic theory by reducing it to conceptual models
which are far from adequate. Your basic conceptual models are faulty, so
any conclusions you draw from using these models will eventually lead to
contradictions. That same problem has, in fact, been the cause of a huge
number of argumentative postings on this newsgroup.
snip
Well stated, Roy. I suspect the majority of hams are not degreed EEs that
have delved into elementary electromagnetic theory (It was the least
popular EE course when I was an undergrad.) Of course you don't need an
in-depth understanding to get on the air. The problem, as you point out,
arises when folks start going beyond the "practical" and hobby aspects
(e.g. beyond the scope of the ARRL handbooks) by providing explanations of
phenomena that are not supported by electromagnetic theory as embodied in
Maxell's equations.
Then there's a university EE professor who should know the theory and ends
up supporting misguided concepts like the crossed-field antenna (CFA).
Sincerely, and 73s from N4GGO,
John Wood (Code 5550) e-mail:
Naval Research Laboratory
4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20375-5337