steveeh131047 wrote:
I'm inclined to try to understand it better, because it's this derived
Characteristic Impedance, along with the axial Velocity Factor, that
generates the reactance values which seem such a good match to
experimental and modeled results.

Steve, you will find some old-fashioned concepts here
based on the lumped-circuit model rather than the
distributed network EM wave reflection model. One can
easily disprove the assertion that a single wire
in free space doesn't have a characteristic impedance
by asking the question: Does a single electromagnetic
wave traveling through free space (without a wire)
encounter a characteristic impedance? If so, why doesn't
a single wave traveling through a wire in free space
encounter a characteristic impedance? Of course, the
ratio of the electric field to the magnetic field,
whatever that turns out to be, is the characteristic
impedance of a single wire in free space. It, like
the characteristic impedance of free space, seems
to be a few hundred ohms.

There are lots of old wives tales asserted by the gurus
on this newsgroup. One must be careful what one accepts
as technical fact.

"A single conductor doesn't have a characteristic impedance."
is a preposterous assertion. If free space itself has a
characteristic impedance, what are the chances that a
single wire in free space would not have a characteristic
impedance??? Zero, at best??? :-)

Some will say: "Where is the return path for the current?"
I will respond: Where is the return path for the "current"
arriving from the Sun that can be captured by a solar
panel? Good Grief!
--
73, Cecil, IEEE, OOTC, http://www.w5dxp.com