Need help - New to CB

Hey All! First off, I would appreciate any help given! I've scoured the forums and tried my best before posting =)


I have a uniden 880 with a magnet mount for a firestik. This is my fifth antenna, and I just cannot get good reception (more than 100 yards). My radio has an SWR built in, and I've tested the following thus far:

1-1.80
20-1.0
40-1.5

One thing I don't know if I am doing right, i AM calibrating on each channel before getting the SWR reading. One antenna (based on the readings) was showing the antenna was too long; I ended up cutting it about 13 times, and I know it's no good now. How can i get this thing tuned up? I'm approx 1 mile from a busy freeway, yet I get NO traffic. =(

 

thanks, but I'm more of a "figure it out" kind of guy. I am really enjoying all the reading I'm doing, and learning is part of the fun.

Anyone with some ideas to help me get this thing tuned?

 

Ended up going to dales cb shop in columbus, oh. Super knowledgeable and extremely helpful. We determined I had tuned appropriately, but didn't have my rf gain turned all the way up! Doh! He helped me no charge, and tested with a swr and said I've matched perfectly! Reco
mmended shop for anyone in the areA! Thanks guys!