I am interested in what empirical evidence can be had to determine how much power is "as much as you need to make the contact."
This FT8 sequence seems to be one of those data points. I tried for a while to get this Chilean station and then someone from my grid square swoops in to get the QSO!
Recently went from a 25W rig to a 5W rig. Fewer QSOs and more incomplete exchanges, though I know the bands have been rough.
@K3LOE Try indoor antenna next (with 5W). You’ll really be having fun then!
73 de n8dmt (5W & indoor mag loop)
@K3LOE in my experience, the issue with low power is the noise at the other end. I've had my WSPR beacon heard 13,945 km away, on 10m, using 10 dBm, or 10 mW.
@vk6flab I'm doing my best to hear your WSPR beacon on ten, but I think you're pretty dang close to my (Raleigh, NC) antipode!
@K3LOE very cool! Let me know if you hear it!