In the shack is OK to start or for very casual EME operating. DownEast Microwave sells preamps and preamp kits for all bands. KB2AH makes some of the best for 1296 MHz WD5AGO Advanced Receiver Research . Miscellaneous Q. I can't hear my own echoes. The stations with big antennas will hear you even if you can't hear your own echoes.
EME conditions vary a lot .
Even the big stations don't always hear each other so well.