Except for one factual problem, I can accept the statement. The problem is
the VHF part. A 22 foot dish is a poor antenna for VHF. But, as you go up
into the microwave region the gain gets higher. The gain of the antenna on
the other end are higher, too.

So, substitute uhf or microwaves for the VHF and I will not argue with you.

My directory of EME stations for 1974 shows the only station from the 9 call
district was W9WCD, who was reported to have a 16 foot dish. In 1982, the
only statin listed in IN was K9CA.

I have not got my gain chart out for a 22 foot dish, but it still seems
marginal for 60 mw at any frequency - especially using old technology.

Colin Lamb