I'm installing a CB rig on my Gen 4 Suzuki Jimny to get back into the hobby after a break.

To start off, I'm using a Thunderpole T-800 radio, with a Mini Orbiter antenna using a gutter mount.

I'm receiving other stations well, but have thus far been unable to make contact with anyone myself. Using a SWR meter, I can see I am transmitting around 3.2w, but my SWR is high (2.5-3.0) across all channels.

I'm unsure of how good a grounding contact I'm making with the gutter mount, or if perhaps my roof rack is causing problems.

I'll check ground continuity once I have a chance with a multimeter, but has anyone here used the Thunderpole branded gutter mount kit (https://www.thunderpole.co.uk/gutter-mounts/thunderpole-gutter-mount-kit.html) and can suggest best practise for grounding? The screw mounts are done up quite tight, and should have gone through to the bare metal (Jimny paint is incredibly thin).

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

So I posted here before asking about a radio that I didn’t know about and everyone said make sure anything I buy has side band. So I have the opportunity to purchase two of these Realistics and one Cobra for $75CDN.
Do I figure out which Realistic works the best and then flip the other one and the Cobra?