Jim Kelley wrote:

In the case of a radiator, the emanating energy is a result of the
superposition of fields radiated by the currents traveling on the
antenna. I could be mistaken, but it seems to me that superposition
should yield the same result by either approach. If so, then for a
single element radiator, the field pattern would appear as though a
standing wave on the antenna had created the field.

ac6xg

The field created by any conductor is proportional to the current
flowing on the conductor. You can divide this current into "forward" and
"reverse" waves, or any combination of currents you want, just as long
as they all add up to the total current. Assuming the conductor is
immersed in a linear medium (e.g., air), you'll get exactly the same
result by finding the fields from each of the individual currents you've
chosen and adding them together, as you will by adding the currents
first to get the total current and finding the field it creates. That's
an example of the application of superposition.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL