While on the roof, I bypassed the preamp while aiming the antenna.

I am currently reading forum posts where others have the same problem I am having.

I hope I can figure this out, I spent a great deal of money to get this thing to work.

Yes I like that feature on that HDB91xg, and that antennas Direct 91XG

Install an attenuator between the Juice's power inserter and your set. If you have a four port splitter, use that. Two 2-port splitters in series will also work or a 100' spool of RG6. I'd like to see if some attenuation post-amplification makes any difference.

Keep in mind that thing has only half (or less) of the beamwidth of the C4 when dealing with very weak signals. Precision aiming may be required. Unfortunately, there is no provision for tilting it up as does the 91XG. You'd have to use a mast with a bend in it. Know any guys who do exhaust work? They have the bending machines. Guys who do commercial electrical work probably have the capability of bending 1 1/4 or 1 1/2" EMT conduit.

Also, keep in mind that daytime propagation conditions over the lake are "highly variable" during the summer. Do not make any assumptions based on one afternoon's work.

Keep cool, roofs get hot....

I will lose more than $50 due to "restocking" fees.

I AM determined to make this work. Tomorrow is another day. It will be cool early in the morning.

Unless there is something wrong with the combiner, I should be able to figure it out.

I think I will bypass the combiner and connect directly to one side of the antenna to see if that helps.

I have 3, 6, 10, 12 and 20 db attenuators.

I tried this on my old setup (with the clearstream 4V). It did nothing for strength/quality.

I thought since I was eliminating any cables, amps, and connecting directly to the antenna I wouldn't need
attenuation.

I took your suggestion.

Using WGRZ (channel 33) as a reference on my new channel master DVR+, I noted the signal/quality.
The signal strength is 70, quality is 0, sometimes 1, 3, and even goes up to 5.

I installed a 3 DB attenuator before the cable goes into the DVR+ and WOW!!!
Signal 100%, quality 70 - 80%!

I checked some other channels, signal was there, quality was low. (i.e WNED, PBS quality was 10%)
Next,
I installed a 6 DB attenuator before the cable goes into the DVR+ and WOW!!!
Signal 94%, quality 100%!

WNED, PBS quality went to 88%

I think that is good enough for me!!!

I wonder why the tuner seems like it's overloaded.
Could it be the higher gain on the antenna made this happen?

What about when I was connected to the antenna without the preamp?

ADTech you are a smart guy. Thanks a million for your help!!

I will update my results every few days for awhile to make sure there was nothing else wrong.

Thanks for the good news. The preamp wasn't overloaded, it was the tuner that was overloaded.

Thanks for your post.

In addition to the DB8e I am also using my clearstream 4V for the bedroom tv (to eliminate using a splitter)

It is also receiving NBC now, so the time of day might have something to do with it as well.
(earlier today that antenna and tuner was not receiving much either)

Time will tell.

The tuner likely WAS overloaded. I don't know any specifics about the CM box, but certain older Tivo units, for example, had a built-in amplifier prior to its internal splitter.

It's likely that it's a combination of higher gain plus a different reception pattern.

Even a blind squirrel sometimes finds an acorn! ;) :D Happy to help out.

Fell free to use a splitter post-amplification. You may need to further experiment with the location and amount of post-amplification attenuation to try and balance signal levels at the various tuners.

Just an update.

The DB8e is working great. There are some dropouts on NBC but they are a lot less than before with the Clearstream4V. Still watchable. This is what I was trying to acheive. I didn't expect miracles.

We have three TV's in the house. Main, Bedroom, and basement.

I use the DB8e for my main TV with no splitters, just a direct cable run.

I used the Clearstream4V and a regular Clearstream4 ganged together for the two other TV's. It is working good. One antenna pointing at Hamilton, the other peaked at WGRZ Buffalo. Originally I had trouble with this setup (ganging) but after a bit of aiming it now works without losing the weaker stations.

I intend to cancel all my subscriptions now.

Thanks to all who participated in this thread.

newmguy

Thanks for the update; enjoy your new setup.