"Sal M. Onella" wrote in newstyXi.1068
:

What did I say wrong?

Hi Sal,

A recurring theme here is the myth that all the energy in reflected waves
on a transmission line from a mismatched antenna is carried all the way
back to the transmitter and necessarily dissipated as heat which is likely
to damage the PA.

It is no doubt an appealling explanation of why a PA may run hotter under
some circumstances, but it does not explain why for instance under some
circumstances, a PA may run cooler on a mismatched load.

Being appealing does not imply correctness of the explanation.

I will sit down now, and await the inevitable stream of anecodotal evidence
that doesn't and cannot support the generality of the statement.

Owen