Went to Austin on business, stopped by Austin Amateur Radio Supply and picked up a 20-meter Iron Horse whip. Having a resonant antenna does make a difference (at least I hope it does).
First contact on 20 was with W1TF who is in northern Georgia these days. I had been calling CQ for a few minutes when I thought I could just hear a reply, and it was Ralph, almost even with the noise. Turns out he was QRP also, and with an indoor antenna to boot, and nearby QRM pretty much finished the QSO. Still, 2 watts out proved to be capable of making a contact, and with a station 800 miles away under fairly difficult conditions.
So far, this is my only 20-meter contact. Got to keep trying.
UPDATE Ralph, I will get a card out to you ASAP. Nice web page.
I put the 15 meter transceiver back in the truck and headed for Walmart. On the way, I heard Tom, WB5KHC talking to Sugi, JK7UST, on 21.058 MHz. They were just signing off with each other as I parked in Walmart's lot. Sugi had had a rough time copying Tom due to QRN on his end, so it seemed like a long shot, but I gave him a call anyway.
Well, he gave me a 439 report with QRN and rough copy, but we did manage to exchange callsigns and names, and I now have Japan in my country list.
4 watts rocks!