Welcome, beflyguy:
The 7777 preamp is easily overloaded by strong signals.
http://www.channelmaster.com/TV_Ante..._p/cm-7777.htm
KCPQ -37.5 dBm
7777 Max input level 15 dBmV = -34 dBmV
-37.5 dBm + 12 dB antenna gain = -25.5 dBm, overload
The 7778 would have been a better choice:
http://www.channelmaster.com/TV_Ante..._p/cm-7778.htm
7778 Max input level 34 dBmV = -15 dBm, OK
-25.5 dBm + 16 preamp gain = -9.5 dBm, just below tuner overload
Try your antenna without a preamp.
The antenna you selected is a high gain antenna which means that it has a narrow beamwidth, making it more difficult to aim; that's the tradeoff.
Trees are a problem for TV signals. Maybe there will be enough signal to get over them to be useful.
http://forum.tvfool.com/attachment.p...0&d=1448314548
If the antenna is outside, the coax shield should be grounded with a grounding block that is connected to the house electrical system ground with 10 gauge copper wire for electrical safety and to reject interference. For further compliance with the electrical code (NEC), the mast should also be grounded in a similar manner to drain any buildup of static charge, but the system will not survive a direct strike.
