Daft question time

[Stronty]

I think your thinking is spot on. Have had a GXII since 2008, not dusted it off in a looong time but I do remember going through the same thought process, drive the amp not the rig. As I remember it, Mic= SSB level was fairly easy to get to "around 10w" give or take where you measure it from
So 20w must be achievable.

[Tin soldier]

Yeah I was thinking of a power reducer. You still using a Fidelity 1000 and a coat hanger then?

Yup, A Wooden coathanger with a 1977 mod parker draped over it

I do actually have a 70's fishtail parka on a wooden coat hanger