Topband: 160 power

[KD8RQE at aol.com]

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