I have my Smartenna mounted outside on the balcony.
Maybe part of the reason that my LTE filter works better at the antenna outside, instead of the inside at the preamp is the wire mesh in the stucco. Could there be some reflection back to the antenna? Regardles it is still my best choice.
Hill Street Blues is worth the extra tuning effort. The writers are crazy.
A preamp should also physically at the antenna mast, so usually outside. It shouldnât be fair away from it.
A distribution amp (the Channel master 4 port you refer it) is different than a preamp. Unless you have the need for 4 TVs connected to your antenna, you should use a preamp instead.
Something like this - it works great.
Or something like this - check the last photo for where it should be installed:
There are cases where youâd need both. In my case the antenna is close to the distribution point, so an 8-way distribution amp made sense for me.
Yes I agree, I have the Channel master LTE filter and RCA preamp at my antenna mast (so physically outside at the Clearstream 4V), then I have a Winegard distribution amplifier just before the Tablo to boost the signal again before the Tabloâs internal 1x4 splitter. Works well.
I donât know that the preamp at the antenna would help me that much. I tried the Channel Master Amplify preamp/LTE at the antenna and at the Tablo. Both times I lost some of my channels. The Channel Master 4 port distribution preamp in front of the Tablo gives me a slight imptovement in some channels.
My pixilation is not unacceptable but I am wondering if adding adding a second LTE filter at the distribution preamp would be of any benefit. When I had my Channel Master LTE filter installed in front of the distribution preamp, before I moved it to the antenna, there was no improvemment. It seemed as if having it inside added to the signal problems. A standard preamp gives me very little improvement. I lost my ABC channel with both the antenna amp and the standard amp inside. My main problems occur during in the busy cell service times.
Based on your issues, I believe a larger antenna likely would benefit you the most.
If your antenna is outside, put up a Clearstream 4V for example.
Does a larger antenna magnify the cell signal ? I think cell signals are my primary issue.
I think that I am probably doing the best that I can with the apartment restrictions and location. I can make minor changes and most of those would need to be inside the apartment.
If I could go to a larger antenna, I might need 2 antennas, slightly offset. This based on experimentation with different antennas. I donât think the apartment management would go for that. Picture a 4 story, stucco donut with me in the donut hole. A cell tower and high voltage transmission lines on the other side of the parking lot. Then the estimated 500 cell phone users in the apartment complex.
The ultimate judge of how well it works is my wife and thinks it was worth cutting the cord. I just canât help trying to make minor tweaks.
Humour me - try it, if it doesnât work, take it back to BB.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/antennas-direct-clearstream-outdoor-hdtv-antenna-black/5894080.p
Give me a couple of months and I will try it.
Interesting link with video showing cell phone interfering with cable tv signal.
Might apply to OTA signals as well.
I hear t-Mobile is also rolling out a lot of new LTE in the 700MHz band, specifically in rural areas. Guess people may want to investigate Faraday cages around their settop boxes? 
Or to make it appropriate to this community, are Tablos adequately shielded? Do they need shielding in the first place? Iâm still puzzled by a comment I found somewhere here where @TabloTV or @TabloSupport told someone that putting a metal trivet under the Tablo may interfere with signal qualilty.
generally speaking (exceptions can and will apply) the influence of LTE signal interference should be resolved at the antenna end (That is where all these 4G filters need to be located for the best effect)
a metal plate or grid can act as an RF reflector, with varying results.
Note that an RF reflector does have itâs usesâŚ
Hey Wolfpack, I am betting you are in the Raleigh / Cary area based on your setup. Both kids at NC State.
I am in the process of setting up an OTA antenna system in Cary. Can you provide the final solution you got to? Assuming 1/2 your 8 bay bowtie is pointing ESE (around 115)and other is WNW (around 280).
Can you help?
Hi KoolBreeze. I am NCSU class of â70 living in Knoxville, Tennessee. I suggest you check TVFOOL.COM for TV station vectors at your location. Wish I could be of more help.
