"Dan" wrote in message
om...
I apologize for the simplicity of my questions:

Last night was my first real attempt to dx on 20 meters. I heard a
couple people calling CQ then QRZed allowing a number of stations to
identify. I heard some of the responses, but most were near
impossible to copy (The CQer was always 59). I put out my callsign
after every QRZed but never got a response. Is this normal or am I
having a problem getting my signal out? SWR is tuned to 1:1, my power
meter shows 100% TX power. Using an Icom 728 w/100W power.


DX stations often have so many people calling that you may not be able to
cut through the pile up. Even if you only hear a handful of stations, the
DX station is probably hearing many that you do not. This is perfectly
normal. It often takes a great deal of patience to get through, especially
if the station is rare. Sometimes you never get through.

I have a G5RV antenna cut to 20m in my attic, fed to a tuner.
Obviously, there isn't enough room for the ladder line to extend all
the way down, so most of it is just routed horizontally from one side
of my attic to another where it meets my RG58.


This is less than ideal but you should still be able to work DX. If you can
hear them, it is generally possible to work them if not too many others are
trying at the same time. It will just take a lot more patience. A better
antenna setup would improve your chances.


This brings up another question. When determining health risks (i.e.
how far away you should be from your antenna) does the ladder line or
coax count as part of the antenna, or just the radials?


It depends on the setup. In the case of the G5RV, the ladder line is part
of the antenna for most bands and thus radiates so you should include the
ladder line in your calculation (other types of antennas with ladder line
may be different). Generally coax, if the antenna is properly set up, does
not radiate so you would not include the coax.


Dee D. Flint, N8UZE