Richard Fry wrote:

If, as reported, more than 99% of the output power of a transmitter
ultimately is absorbed/radiated even by a mismatched antenna system,
then why would a transmitter need power foldback for such loads?

Egad, here we go again.

Foldback has nothing to do with "reflected power". It's simply that a
mismatch results in higher voltage or current at the output which could
damage the output device or circuitry. That's why foldback is used.

And, for that matter, "reflected power" isn't radiated *or* absorbed by
the transmitter. The transmitter produces power which is sent to the
antenna. All the power produced by the transmitter arrives at the
antenna less whatever is lost as heat in the transmission line. There
are no waves of average power bouncing back and forth on a transmission
line. Mathematically separating the power moving down the line into
"forward" and "reverse" components doesn't mean that waves of average
power actually exist.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL