A method is for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The method may include positioning an RF antenna assembly within a wellbore in a subterranean formation, the RF antenna assembly having first and second tubular conductors and a dielectric isolator defining a dipole antenna, and a dielectric coating surrounding the dielectric isolator and extending along a predetermined portion of the first and second tubular conductors. The method may include operating an RF source coupled to the RF antenna assembly during a start-up phase to desiccate water adjacent the RF antenna assembly, and operating the RF source coupled to the RF antenna assembly during a sustainment phase to recover hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.
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