Also, if the preamp can trap out FM, trap it out. FM stations often have, collectively, much more power than TV stations, and they can overload the amp even though you're not tuning them in.

Having the amp at the antenna is definitely the way to do. If you put the amp in the basement, the signal will have decreased from the cable run and there will be more noise in it than at the antenna. You amplify a stronger higher quality signal when the preamp is at the antenna.

I'm puzzled that you were reluctant because of upstream power. Antenna preamps tha don't work will be returned, so it's more likely that something we don't understand will work than that it won't. I've use the same cable to send satellite signals down from a roof, then put channel 3 on the same wire, sending it almost all the way back up to the dish, then splitting it out to go to a TV. Wire doesn't care which way the electricity goes as long as you're sure to load, or not load, the cable properly for the frequency you're passing (frequency includes DC, which is zero Hz.)