[tenger]

With a good, tuned antenna, you can talk to the world with 5 watts. With a bad antenna, a $5000 rig will not get 50 miles.

I went the same route of licensing recently, got them all within 2 months I think. I'm an Extra now. Haven't done anything with it.

Also good words about the importance of a quality antenna.

True story, my first broadcast attempt at DX, I immediately got a pileup. I was operating out of Mongolia (back in the 90s) and as soon as I gave the CQCQCQ, pileup. Fun times.

[Vermont Lt]

The more interesting question is, “What were you doing in Mongolia in the 90s?” Lol