Reception Problem

[teacherlew]

My Zip is 62445. I am having an odd problem. I have a choice between channels from Champaign, IL or Teure Haute, In. I can only receive the CBS stations with my preamp attached to my antenna (clearStream 4). However if I have the preamp connected, my reception is worse on the other channels.(Especially if it has rained) All the channels are in a similar power range and come from the similar area. Do I need a new preamp or is there another problem that I am over looking?

[tigerbangs]

I am not sure which preamplifier you are using, but you have some local UHF stations nearby that may be causing your problem. I suspect that your preamp is overloading on your UHF stations, but, since the Clearstream 4 isn't really a VHF antenna, it is NOT overloading on your CBS station, which is on VHF channel 10. My first suggetion is to add a small VHF high-band yagi like an AntennaCraft Y-5-7-13 to your existing CS4, and change your preamplifier to a high-input preamp like a Winegard HP_269, which won't overload in the face of strong local stations. Use a Pico-Macom UVSJ to combine the two antennas.