John Smith I wrote:
So, "something" roughly related to [speed-of-light -
velocity-factor-of-conductor = phase-shift] should be at play (since
photons are speed of light and the rf wave is limited by the VF) ???

Coherent EM waves traveling in opposite directions can
certainly confuse the observer. In order to remain un-
confused, one EM wave traveling in one direction should
be the wave used for measurements. Otherwise intelligent
people have been completely fooled by the two waves traveling
in opposite directions. The resultant wave is an illusion
and therefore the observations based on standing waves are
likewise illusions.

How can a standing wave, whose amplitude is dependent
upon the the phases of the two traveling waves, be
used to determine anything about amplitude? How can
the phase, which is essentially fixed and constant
at zero degrees, be used to determine phase delay?

Standing waves have faked the gurus out of their
jockey straps.
--
73, Cecil http://www.w5dxp.com