As a member of the majority of the US ham population doing your thing with contests and operating you will need a serious radio. After what seems like a millennial drought, Ten Tec is proposing a new SDR Radio. The name of the radio is the Phoenix which is obviously a mythological reference to a rising from the ashes.
In my old age I am uncertain of its status, but the photo suggests a prototype, and I believe they are asking for a significant deposit to fund the further development. So likely it will be a while before actual hardware on your desk.
Again, a bit of uncertainty on my part but I believe the price point is near $4K. Check the Ten Tec website to get the info straight from the horse's mouth. Ten Tec formerly built some really great radios albeit the Ten Tec of today is new hands and new faces.
I suggested you would need $10K to do serious contesting and operating, so a Ten Tec Phoenix gets you 40% toward that goal. Now you have a dilemma... do you spend the remaining 60% on an antenna or an amp. You can't have both for $6K.
Every once in a while, you see a great YouTube Video, so here is one from K1OIK. The Old Days.
73's
Pete N6QW