I am trying to gauge what power levels ham satellites use and what is the rough expected outcome.

For example 100mW CW on UHF seems pretty weak, but 5 W from SO-67 seems to be pretty strong.

From reports, 5 W is HT material.

I have sent 100 mW from a glider, and we got around 3 - 7 km's

Maybe the birds have gain ant pointed at earth ?

These cubesats, what sort of power do they run ?

Andrew VK4TEC