Evidence that Quasars and Related Active Galaxies are Good Radio Standard Candles and that they are Likely to be a Lot Closer than their Redshifts Imply

For many years some astronomers have continued to argue, using redshift periodicities and quasar-galaxy associations, that quasars may be closer than their redshifts imply. Here, for the first time using raw radio data, I re-examine this question and find new evidence that supports this argument. Using VLBA flux densities and angular motions in jets, I show that the central engine of quasars and BL Lac objects appears to be a good radio standard candle. Using this information, relative distances are calculated and absolute radio distances are then obtained by referencing to a source whose true distance has been obtained using Cepheid variables. The results reveal that in this model most of the strong radio sources found in early surveys are nearer than 100 Mpc. (abridged)