I've been on 160m for a little over 3 years and have 115 confirmed. Antenna
is an inverted L with the vertical portion up 60' with 60 120' radials and
30 60' radials. QTH is in the middle of the Black Hole of DX in southern
MI. I run 500W max. It is very clear to me that my main limitation is Rx.
Bottom line is if I can hear them I can work them 99% of the time, even in
large pileups. On the other hand, if the pileup is not huge I've made it
through pileups QRP regularly to the Caribbean, KH6, and KH7, & SA, although
it
takes a bit more time and finesse. I realize that I'm an alligator and
don't call CQ with 500W. A Hi-Z 8 element array is this summer's project.
I wonder if 1500W wiould make a difference when I can hear better. I doubt
it. I think the next quantum leap in performance would be a 2 or more
element vertical TX array and diversity RX with beverages added to the Hi-Z,
and suspect the diversity RX will add more capability than the upgrade in TX.
I'm looking forward to the next few years in sunspot minimum on Top Band.
Mike KD8RQE
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