Quote Originally Posted by W3WN View Post

I was trying to convey that I was expecting to join the swoon over CB, when by comparison to what I was just doing...

Different context.
The only difference between 10 and 11M is 1MHz and a license requirement. Period. Many amateurs have converted 11M equipment to 10M and "worked the world" using the same power levels as the maximums specified by the Part 95 regs.

I used to do a lot of weak-signal 11M SSB work back in the day when the band was heavily used. If you wanted to talk to friends who were further away than, say, 5 miles you had basically three options: Run an amplifier and/or run a large directional gain antenna if conversing during the day...or...sked late at night when E layer and F layer propagation along with the usual cast of chucklefucks called it a wrap.

The same principles apply when working weak signals on either band: Good receiver, good antenna, choose your operation times wisely.

Although dwindling in numbers, the "dedicated 11M SSB operator" has just as much fun playing in their sandbox as we do in ours. I guarantee that if the FCC relaxed the 155.1 mile Part 95 limit, you would see a lot of amateurs come out of the woodwork and start DXing on that band 'in the open'. I'm not going to risk my license on even the tiniest of infractions, so all of those DX club stations I happen across are verboten.

There aren't a lot of locals who I care to talk with, and the days of an SSB rig in every farm tractor and pickup have (sadly) passed us by, I think. Thus, at this point in time there isn't a lot I do with the band other than listen. Pity, as there was (and is) enjoyment to be had...but you have to look for it off the beaten path.