Amplifier choice?

[RickJ5]

I need a little help figuring out if I need an amplifier in my system and which one to pick. First off my zip code is 60634. AntennaWeb says I'm about 8.5 - 8.6 miles from most of the antennas. I have an old antenna mounted inside my attic. I believe it was a near fringe antenna. The longest rear element is about 9.5 - 10 feet. I have a regular roof, I assume asphalt shingles. I have 50 feet of cable connected to the antenna and then it goes into a 2 way splitter. One side of the splitter connects to my TV, which really is only being used as a monitor right now, but eventually I will replace it with a HDTV, so assume one side of the splitter going to a TV. The other side of the splitter has a 25 foot cable connected to it and then it goes to a 4 way splitter. I then have 4 TV tuner cards for computers connected to the 4 way splitter. Most of the time TV records OK, but I do get where channel 2 sometimes turns into a sort of green screen and I also sometimes get where it appears I lose some frames when recording. I have read a bunch of stuff on your site, but I'm still a little confused. I figure my signal loss to the computers as follows.

50 feet of cable -3.0dB
2 way splitter -3.5 - 4.0dB
25 feet of cable -1.5dB
4 way splitter -7.0 - 8.0dB
Total loss -15 - 16.5dB at the computers

One concern I have is if I use a preamp would I possibly have to much signal at the TV?

So, should I be using a preamp or a distribution amp, and which one? If a distribution amp, I'm kind of assuming HDA-100. But, again I'm a little confused. The HDA-200 has a gain control, so does that mean I could get an HDA-200 and turn down the gain? Also, where in the system would I place the distribution amp? Thank you.

[winegard]

Your calculations are right on. So I suggest that you use the HDA-100 and install it between the antenna and your first splitter. The HDA-200 does have the gain control but what it actually does is reduce the incoming signal going to the amplifier section which can cause you to reduce the weaker channels and loose them. The HDA -100 should be all you need.