NJ*Spartan

About a week ago I installed a Midland 1001LWX in my jeep. I used a teraflex style bracket, a firestik 3' firefly antenna, 18' fire ring coax, firestik stud, and spring. I grounded everything, including the tailgate. My SWR reading on Channel 1 and 40 average around 1.7. The NOAA channels work, I pick up conversations on the highway on the way to work, but anytime I try and get a mic check to test my set up, I get no response. Maybe the truckers are just assholes...but I'm starting to worry there is something wrong with my set up. I have a cobra 19DXIV in my XJ, but it's been years since I used it (my gf drives it) and I don't know how it works lately. All I do know was I couldn't hear anything from her radio and she couldn't hear me... Before I try to get down to White Dotte Radio or start redoing her radio set up, is anyone available to meet up somewhere and had a working radio I can check my system against? It'd make it easier to diagnose issues if any, against a known working set up. I live in Brick, NJ and work in Yardville. If anyone can spare a few minutes, I'll meet ya somewhere...