Happy New Year Operators. I just posted a new article called "Why QRP Digital?" A look at why I use digital modes and low power for effective HF comms. de OH8STN http://www.survivaltechnology.net/why-qrp-digital/
FWIW my QRP operation is almost all CW and I have 9BDXCC with 5W and it is often vintage gear from the 30-50's. A good location and effective antennas help. It took almost 30 years of intermittent activity to get #100 on 160 Im also up to 16 DXCC on 160 with 100 milliwatts. All QSO's from the same town and absolutely no cheating (as per the original DXCC rules) by using remotes or moving around the country.
Awesome achievements! You've got about 10+ years on me. For operators like me, the emphasis is on digital modes, nvis, and using amateur radio as a tool. When I do casual comms, the perfect example is sitting next to a camp fire with an 817 and tablet working whatever happens down my waterfall. That's about the extent of the "fun" for me. The serious business is teaching others how to use modern tools for emergency communications. My DXCC comes from inspiring others. My achievements are seeing them propagate what they've learned.