NEET 10/19/2026 (Mon) 04:39 No.1040830 del
>>1040728
Twisted-pair signalling is Differential. If one strand is grounded, the diff is 1/2, but still signalable. It's also like with a mains power plug connection is wired (properly) ACTIVE-NEUTRAL or (incorrectly) ACTIVE-GROUND.

But the real spin-out that the literal earth was conductive enough for a data signal over the 3 kilometres, in spite of all the electrical interference it absorbs.

Look up single-wire-ground-return military Field Phones, too.