Art wrote:
"It is obvious that the completion of a cycle thus at no time has
current moving other than in a single direction."

We have a "cycle" because the current alternates or reverses direction
twice each cycle.

Hams likely agree with Terman that radio waves are produced to some
extent whenever a wire in open space carries a high-frequency current.
(Page 864, opus of 1955)

Kraus says on page 12 in the 3rd edition of "Antennas":
"Antennas convert electrons to photons, or vice versa."
Also: "Thus, time-changing current radiates and accelerated charge
radiates."
Also: The currents on the transmission line flow out on the antenna and
end there, but the fields associated with them keep on going.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI