Jim Kelley wrote:
Typically we
wouldn't measure the amplitude of the standing wave envelope.

That is where you are mistaken. The total current on a
standing-wave antenna is primarily standing wave current.
What you are saying is that we wouldn't typically measure
the total current. On the contrary, total current is exactly
what we would typically measure and is exactly what w7el
measured. That's why he measured a negligible phase shift.

We would make a measurement of either the forward or the reflected
traveling wave, which are phase delayed along the antenna.

I'm sorry, but that is a false statement. Measuring the forward
or reflected traveling wave, which is less than 10% of the
total energy on the antenna, is exactly what is the problem.

Traveling waves on standing-wave antennas are very hard to
separate and measure. Exactly how do you propose to separate
the forward wave from the reflected wave while preserving the
amplitude and phase of each?

Hint: w7el used the total current for his "measurements".
--
73, Cecil, IEEE, OOTC, http://www.w5dxp.com