I don't have alot of experieince with your type of SWR meter but it sounds like it's not working.
are you looking for another SWR meter, or do you know it works? sounds bad...

I have ordered RG-8X, used with PL-259 connectors, from DX engineering (min order is $20) it's about $.31/ft

Canada ?? not sure.

 

other ideas I would try... knowing SWR meters are just laying around everywhere.

did you try removing your antenna and seeing if your SWR needle moves... it should go very high..
other things,,, can you try someone elses Antenna... can you try your SWR on someone elses setup??

 

Yah. I'm gonna try another SWR meter. But the way you described the coax problems I'm gonna guess its that. Went to re-route my coax and there were a few sharp bends and I tie wrapped a few pretty tight. (this was before I knew the effects of those on a coax cable )

 

Do you have a way to short your center conductor to the shield(connector barrel) and ohm out the other end (center to barrel). if it's open you won't have a short, do this on both ends. that will usually find 95% of open coax... I only say 95% because it's possible it's open but intermittently making connection looking like a good coax.. this can happen when you have extreme bends, coax going thru doors/windows,,, etc.. (yes I have done this with a temp - mag mount on car roofs) not ideal but...

what type of connector setup do you have at the Antenna end?
I like using the SO-259 connector and not those ones that come with alot of the kits, like a bolt/snap connector.. I have never used those and I'll keep it that way..

 

I'm going to check and see if there is continuity between the shield and conductor tomorrow.

all I know about the connector is that both ends of the coax are the same connectors. I think its a PL-259 connector

 

yea those are PL-259 on the cable and on the antenna it would be a SO-259.
Good luck I hope you find a (or the) problem.