Practical thoughts...
Measuring 5W into a load is not that hard to do. Now or 50 years ago.
Back when the rule was how many watts DC input 5W DC input is
really simple .416mA @ 12V. Kilowatt was 500mA at 2000V!
Anyone running a TX with 3db coax loss is really making it hard on
themselves. Its not a working proposition just a absurd case to prove
a point.
Many work with antennas however with 3db or more loss due to loading,
construction, or poor match.. It happens. Consider the average 40M
mobile vertical.
Then there are people like me that enter a contest at QRP power, with
a beam antenna, 3 elements on 10m SSB one year got me lots of DX
and 4W out and called a liar. The Bird does not lie. A good antenna is
free gain [via directivity] and not against any rules. QRP should not
stand for "using crap antenna".
To the QRO guys that same beam makes the 100W competitive.
Especially against the guy using a G5RV or similar despite his amp.
Contests set rules, we are on the honor system, 5W CW power or 10W PEP
is the general rule. I use 5W single tone (SSB) to get a power it tends to be
more to the low side than higher. That and really you have to go at least
3DB to make any difference and 6 (4x the power) to move the other guys
S meter 1 unit.
Always the contest rules count. For general work 11W is still QRP
[Shall I reduce or I am running reduced power.] compared to most
guys running 100W or more.
To the guys with the "My big station makes your QRP possible"...
well maybe. Then again I may be very low power but as I said
not running an improvised or compromised antennas.
Makes me think of the year the club went QRP for FD, low power
all modes. Antennas, 40M wire beam, 20/15/10M wire beams
even a TH3JR tribander and OCF for 160 and 80. As a club
we did very well that year. What stood out was the lack of
interference between stations and far fewer power issues
to run the gear. Fun was had.
Allison