Does the R7000 even need the preamp or is the noise figure of the preamp higher than that of the R7000? A preamp ahead of my R7100 actually makes things worse. 73 Bob WA2UEH -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.10/190 - Release Date: 12/1/2005