Unable to get usable RF gain when using DVB-T mode w/DATV-Express

[wadetm]

When I use LibreSDR with base clock or one of the overclocked firmware (v.38) RF TX gain is very low even when set TX gain to max, Also I can not drive any external PA without a LNA is this expected? Also even with a LNA and driving a external PA I can not get decodable signals with my dvb-t receiver.