I am reporting back as I indicated I would and unfortunately the news is not good. Nothing worked. I could not pick up any signals. I feel I have tried just about everything and it is time to hang my head low and call Cablevision and request Broadcast Basic. At least I can return the cable box they will bring and keep the monthly fees fairly low, but it is very disappointing after a lot of time and money. I was looking forward to uncompressed digital OTA TV.
With a friend, I installed the Winegard HD7084P all channel antenna with the Radio Shack FM trap model number 9FT293C-1. We checked and double checked the coax cable and all connections. I bought new coax cable as well and tried again. I used the ClearStream CPA-19 Pre-Amp afterwards to see whether that would make a difference. It did not. I still could not pick up any signals in any direction.
To determine whether I could detect a signal I tried a TV with an internal tuner and a TV monitor using an Electronic Master Digital ATSC HDTV TV Tuner p/n DCT102 purchased from
www.barrel-of-monkeys.com. I used auto scan for digital broadcast signals. I used a hand held HDTV Signal Meter purchased from Antennas Direct as well. I was not able to detect any HDTV signals using any of these methods.
I don't quite understand why I cannot receive any signals at all. Perhaps it is because of all of the very tall trees surrounding the house. I live on a hill and thought I could get reception. I did not think trees would be so disruptive. I cannot think of any other reason.