Just to update my progress in case my experience can help someone else.
This TVFOOL:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...51347570c1f198
I have my antenna 20 ft up on a gable mount and its 5 feet above my metal roof and pointed thru a huge pine tree 70 feet away. See image attached.
I have the antenna C4V pointed at 21 degrees magnetic and the VHF antenna mounted on top of the left reflector.
Channels I get 90 to 100% signal:
Real 8, 38, 43 and 35
Channels I get 60 to 89% signal:
Real 44, 45, 23 and 10
Channel 11 comes in sometimes and 33 is just to low to give me a picture.
Equipment:
Antennas Direct C4V, Antennas Direct Juice preamp, 2x Radio Shack FM Traps, PCT 4 Port amplified splitter going to 3 TVs (soon 4).
So I answered my original question with trial and error. I'm ok not using the amplified splitter with the preamp or no preamp and an amplified splitter. But using both together actually increased my signal strength on most channels so I'm keeping both.
My FM traps and Preamp are located indoors 30 feet from the antenna and the amplified splitter is within 18 inches of the preamp inserter.