Gene Fuller wrote:
I also forgot that all standing waves are identical, whether in free
space or on a wire.

The same laws of physics apply to both. There are not, as you are
trying to imply, a separate set of laws for EM waves on a wire
and EM waves in free space.

Reversing the question you posed above, what do you gain by including
the photonic nature of EM waves?

It keeps some people from sweeping the photonic nature of EM waves
under the old standing wave rug. I won't mention any names.
--
73, Cecil, w5dxp.com