Beeing almost 56 now, looking back at when i started building my 1st FM transmitter at the ripe age of 12
Tubes were the way to go then.
Fast forward after building some AM transmitters, some CB for an short period in the early 70's
Learning all the way, reading up, asking other peeps, etc.
Then became licensed in 1977
The most important thing in your station is your antenna system, not the big ass amp, or fancy transciever.
After you perfected your antenna system you can go forward and improve the station.
Running kilowatts has no other use as to blast another station from the frequency or show off you have the power.
For communication you have enough power running 100 watts into an good antenna system.
Most my DX the last 31 years was done with 100 watts, the 1000+ watt amp seldom sees power applied, it was more an project to restore an beautifull heathkit SB-1000 to pristine condition.
Beeing proud of your station/signal comes not from running power, but putting out an clean signal, and good modulation.
One reason my FT 100 has the Am xtal filter buildt in, running 25 watts carrier and 100 watts modulated it sounds great.
I let the smoke out many parts experimenting, the only way to find the real limits of some projects, making mistakes along the way too.
You're on the right way looks like it from your remarks
I do train new hams, write on several fora, and explaining something isn't hard and if it helps someone, even better.
In the process you get an cleaner signal, run lots less risk and people around you will be happy seeing an clean signal.
Take care, have fun beeing on the air, and most important, it is an hobby, not an pissing contest, that is better left to kids showing off.
I'm past that stage, i know what i can do, and what i cannot do, still learning
One reason i choose the login name...
Cor