Brian Anthony Farrelly wrote:
Isn't the whole question of whether it's a reflection as from a conducting
plate, or radiation from the radials based on misunderstanding what a
reflection is?

There is no contradiction in quantum electrodynamics.
A photon encounters an electron in a radial and is
absorbed. Later, that same electron emits a photon.
The original photon energy could have come from
anywhere. If it came from the vertical element in
the first place, it is a "reflection" but that is
irrelevant. If it came from that same radial in the
first place, it is not a "reflection" but that is also
irrelevant. If it bounced off a flagpole before it
was absorbed by the electron, it is a "reflection" but
no rational person cares. The photon cloud surrounding
a radial contains photons that came from that radial
and from everywhere else. That some photons must be
put in a basket labeled "reflected" and some put in
a basket labeled "not reflected" is simply nonsense.
--
73, Cecil http://www.w5dxp.com