How does a Radio Antenna Work? I'm trying to get a grasp of the physical mech. You generate an AC signal on a conductor (i.e. at 30mhz) The free electrons on the skin of the conductor osc. back/forth at 30mhz. The acceleration / decleration of the free electrons causes photons to be released from the free electrons (Photons being the E field)? The acc / decl will only be large enough to cause photons to be released, if the conductor is long enough to accomodate at least 1/4 wavelength?