How Do I Check Amp/Preamp Operation?

[sansabar]

Decided to start over with the OTA antennas. I replaced my old RadioShack VHF/UHF with a Terk 44 and was gettting several stations "okay" and one of them HD. Since all of my local HD stations are broadcasting from the same degree (+/- 1 degree) I decided to upgrade and get a little more directional in hopes to gain more of the available HD channnels.
I put up a Channel Master 3020 with a Channel Master Spartan 3 3041DSB Amp/Preamp. Here is my problem:
I notice NO difference when the amp is plugged in or bypassed.
I get fewer stations
Could the amp/preamp be bad out of the box? How do I check? Would I be better suited using a Titan2 7777?
Setup-
I run RG6 all the way. Antenna to Diplexer to DirecTV Triple LNB to 25' RG6 to Diplexer to DirecTV D10. I run a splitter off the TV end of the diplexer - one RG6 to D10 Ant In and the other RG6 to TV (Sony 32" WEGA HD Ready). HDMI from D10 to TV.

 

[Kevinw]

Sounds like someone has been to Lowes. My suggestion would be to take the diplexor out of the picture and run a straight line to the Amp then to the TV from the amp.

 

[sansabar]

Lowes it was! Very limited to our Channel Master dealers here in South Georgia.
So am I to understand that the diplexer diminshes the effect of the amplifier? And if so, how? Just trying to get a better understanding of the situation.

 

[Kevinw]

This might explain it better
http://www.starkelectronic.com/allamps.htm

All pre-amps have a power supply that plugs into an AC outlet inside the house that lowers the voltage and sends it up the coax to power the amplifier which is mounted up near the antenna. The benefit is that you get amplification before any line loss or noise and you don't have to run 117 AC up to your roof. NOTE: Don't install a regular splitter between the power supply and the pre-amp or you will short circuit the system and it won't work. You can install a special splitter that is power passive on only one port. Or put a DC Block on the outputs that don't run to the power supply. Also you can't put any type of matching transformers between the power supply and the pre-amp.

 

[sansabar]

Thanks, Kevinw.
One more thought/question. I run my RG6 through a surge protector before it gets to any equipment. Any problems here?

 

[sansabar]

Thanks again, Kevinw. Followed your advice and ran separate lines. Works great.

 

[Kevinw]

Thanks, Kevinw.
One more thought/question. I run my RG6 through a surge protector before it gets to any equipment. Any problems here?

Idon't becasue of the 3db loss of signal or more. I live in a fringe area and need all the signal I can get.

Glad the suggestion worked.