SWR question

yes, that is darn near perfect as long as that reading was taken on channel 20. you cant get much better than that.

 

just depends on the noise level. it will be higher or lower and still be normal.

 

Sometimes conditions will limit a good radio to just a mile or so. If you're getting 20 miles on occasion, you have a good set up and I would be satisfied with it.

 

JNaum,
Any SWR under 1.5:1 approaches the Holy Grail, because even a perfectly resonant ground plane vertical on a mobile isn't likely to be 1.0:1. And if you're able to talk and hear out to 20 miles on low noise days, that's terrific.
FWIW, the presence or absence of telephone poles or buildings really shouldn't affect performance at the frequencies used for CB unless you're driving through "concrete canyons" like a dense urban downtown area, or a heavy industrial area with lots of machinery that generates electrical noise (welders, motors with brushes, etc.), and electrical transformers that are in need of maintenance.
It's kind of unfortunate that vertical antennas are the most convenient for mobiles, because most man-made interference is vertically polarized. Base stations that use "flat side" beam antennas, when talking with others using horizontal antennas, gain the advantage of lower noise. Horizontal antennas for CB are possible (I've used what's called a DDRR on my van, but it only covers 5 channels without having to be re-tuned) so they're not practical.
You'll get used to when to use the ANL ("Automatic Noise Limiter") and the NB ("Noise Blanker") to kill off two different kinds of noise in your receiver. They'll both reduce your receive sensitivity, too, but when used properly they can reduce some kinds of noise and extend your range a bit farther when the noise levels come up.
But remember that an amp really isn't going to do anything for your receive, and since you're already getting out 20 miles with your current setup......
BTW, don't do anything with your antenna -- SWR isn't dependent upon power, only frequency. If you change radios, I'd leave the antenna as is. Sounds like you found yourself a good shop there.
73,
Handlebar

 

one modification that can be done to your radio is called the shottkey diode receive upgrade. it involves a competent radio tech and about 20 minutes. a few minor diodes and a transistor i believe are changed on the radios control board. the tech then has to retune the radio which takes an oscilloscope. the diode mod adds better filtering to the radio, there by reducing amplified noise that is picked up with everything else. i had my galaxy 99 done and i saw an immediate 3db reduction in line noise during peak sunspot and skip activity. the difference at night is freaking amazing.

most shops that offer this service charge between 20 and 30 bucks. i had been wanting to get the work done for a long time, but i only let certain people in my 99. they (Galaxy) may have stopped making this radio in 2006, but i still wont let anyone inside the thing.

i had mine done at DTB radio in Carlisle, PA. you can stop by there and have him do it or send the radio to him. http://dtbradio.com/