couple questions

I agree with an honest 250 watts, you should get past 6 miles.

Also was the 6 w dk from the radio or the amp? if it was from the amp, it should be higher unless someones messed with the radio inside.

If your SWR was 2 on ch. 1 then check it on 40; if it's higher SWR on 40, you need a longer whip, and if it's lower SWR on 40 than 1, you need a shorter whip. In other words, the higher the channel, the shorter the whip that's actually required, however across 40 channels it shouldn't make too much difference.

More coax is not the cure all for high SWR.

As for being out of range after 3 miles, because most trucks run short 4 ft whips, that is not uncommon when going in opposite directions. Also because when going in opposite directions, you can easily be double the range...i.e. you might lose the other driver at 3 miles for you, because he's another 3 miles from you, for a total of 6 miles.

HTH

 

Glad to hear you got it working better.

 

jumpers are always going bad

 

I blame the parents.

73