DG, how far are you below the top of the ridge? Are you really down in a bowl most all the way around? How big of a tower are you planning? Is it gonna put you over the ridge line?

Increasing your power will help. Improving your antenna will help a great deal more. Make certain you use a high grade coax to feed the antenna as well. RG-8X or better. Coax can be very lossy if you go with a low grade coax. VERY BAD.

VHF (2M) does not do well trying to go thru a hill side. It is line of site only. You really need to get it up over the ridge.