How good is my SONY XDR-F1HD ?

If you're 10 miles from the City, you really shouldn't need a powered antenna.

I need he directionality of the Terk, 3 of the channels are low power college stations so i move the antenna around sometimes to find the sweet spot. Its funny you mention  the RCA cables. I have a few Cardas cables a friend gave me and I use them. I am seriously thinking about doing the circuit mods myself after hearing how much the Tuner guy charges. I am a Physicist/EE .

absolutely do the mods if you can do yourself...