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Thanks for all the input. I was leaning toward the distribution amp since the one TV has 95-100% signal on all the channels and I didn't want to overload it.
I completely understand that an amplifier can't compare to the gain inherent in the antenna design. An amplifier ends up amplifying noise as well as the signal which is never ideal, but sometimes necessary.
So I searched high and low in my area for an amplifier that I might be able to use and all I can say is this area sucks. I went to six different stores and none of them had anything useful. One had a distribution amp that only gave me 'up to' 4dB gain per output. One had a preamp that only gave me 10dB. And another had a preamp that gave a whopping 26dB, which I knew was WAY more than I needed. The rest had absolutely nothing.
I'll have to resort to ordering something online. Not that I'm opposed to that. I think I spend most of my disposable income at Amazon.
Moving on, I tried a few things when I finally got home. I swapped out the 4-way splitter with a much better quality 2-way. Signal strength improved, but not tremendously and not as much as I needed it to in order to get some of the weaker channels. I then ran the line straight into one of the TV boxes and I saw more improvement. Again, still not enough. I'm at least getting some of the missing channels now, but they continue to cut in and out.
I've attached a crude drawing of my layout in case there was any confusion in my description. Again, I've replaced the 4-way with the appropriate 2-way. If I ever need the 4-way I'll get one.
So based on what I've gathered so far I need to replace the 2-way right before the 50' run with a distribution amp. Is that correct? If so, I know I need a power injector, which usually comes with the distribution amp. My question to that is, is a 50' run too long of a distance to install the injector at the end of or doesn't it matter?
Thanks again!
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