Galaxy DX98VHP SWR's

I bought this radio from GI Joe's and purchased their "align for maximum performance" option, I installed it im my triaxle a 96 Pete 357, Used 6 gauge wire ran right to the battery. While I'm tuning my antenna a wilson 5000, SWR's started around 2.5. I followed the instructions that came with it and lifted the whip up 1/4" and SWR went up to 3. So I started trimming the whip. Got them down to about 2.1 on the radio meter and my roadpro meter. Would not go any lower. I took a piece I cut offand put it back and put the whip back in on top of it and meter showed 1.6. So I took the truck to a radio shop and they checked my antenna with a meter that did not even connect to the radio, The coax pluged right into his meter and it was at 1.1 to 1.2 I thought it was pretty odd that it would be that perfect but he said it is ok to talk on it. I know my SWR meter is a cheap one but thought it is pretty strange that that meter and the meter in my radio were so close to each other. Also these readings were with the power turned all the way up, SWR on the radio meter drops to 1.1 with power at about the 1 o'clock position. From what I understand the power knob changes your dead key, you will get the same swing no matter where it is set, so I will let it turned down. I did talk on the radio and other drivers said it sounded real good. My question is Is it ok for me to use this radio the way it is or should I have someone else look at it too? I don't really want to blow this radio up and have to buy another. I replace a 44HP with this radio and tuned a wilson 2000 with the meter on the radio without any problems. Also when I bought this from GI Joe's I did so because of the price and fast shipping. Has anyone else bought from them and how good are they?

 

Let me know how you make out. I really liked their prices but their communication with customers could be improved alot. I call them I don't know how many times and noone would answer. They answered once and hung up right away. I emailed them telling them this and asked a few questions about the radio and in the reply email all they did was appologize for not being able to talk to me over the phone. Also they dont give a tracking number for the package. But with my account through UPS they automatically sent me the information and I could remove the required signature. It's hit or miss if I will buy from them again.

 

I go into alot of areas with low tree branches and under silos at the blacktop plants and had it pointed almost strait front. When I put in this radio I pointed it strait up since blacktoping is pretty much over for the year. After that I couldn't get it back, then I trimmed too much off and got the 5000 instead. I seen that most guys were using the 5000 with this radio, I couldn't find anything with this radio and the 2000. And yes it is a very nice radio, very heavy. I can talk far on it but they can hear me but I can't hear them

 

I believe stock this radio has a 10 watt dead key with the power turned down and 60 turned up. I have no idea where GI Joe sets these things as they don't respond when I attempt to contact them. I read in the owner manual your supposed to check the SWR with the power turned up. All the way up I was getting 2.1 and when I turned power down I was seeing 1.1. So with power turned down I would be ok? Some say the meters in the radio are ok some say not, but I think I would trust the meter in the radio over the cheap $25 thing I got

 

What about keying 10 and swinging to 200 to 250? Also anyone know of a cb shop near the Allentown/Reading PA area that could help me out with this?