Yep, absolutely right... When the band is open, you can make a contact with a "Wet Noodle" antenna, using 10 watts... HOWEVER if the band is closed, you can call and call al day long, with 1Kw, and a Quad Stack of MonoBanders at 120 Ft, and still not get a contact.... band conditions far outweigh and Antenna/Power considerations, ALWAYS.... This is why ALE was invented, for Outfits that use HF for Mandatory Comm links that MUST work, 24/7/365.... As the bands change for Point to Point Comms the Radio Gear automatically switch Frequencies, and Power Levels to keep the Link open, and up.... I used to maintain one such link that used an RF Comm Exciter/Receiver, driving a 5Kw Gates Amp, into a 3-30Mhz Log Periodic Array, that ran a 5000 Mile link between what is now FEMA Sites. Sure wish I had all that Gear, in my shack, these days.....