The trials and tribulations of bnewt's analog NBC reception have been chronicled elsewhere. Basically, his analog channel 3 signal comes to him over unfavorable terrain. Even though he now has a professionally installed, cut-to-channel Yagi, coupled with a ChannelMaster channel 3 Jointenna, his analog reception is still less than pristine.
I do not know the digital assignment for NBC in that market, but if channel 3 analog signal can't be adequately developed over that terrain with that antenna, he may be even worse off when a digital signal, probably at a higher frequency, becomes available.
I am puzzled by the following remark:
"....when I stop by Ovation, Circuit City, Best Buy, etc. the analog picture on the hd sets seem very blurry. I know that the signal is split numerous times for all of the TV's that are connected"
Splitting a broadcast DTV signal has no effect on picture sharpness. If the tuners connected to the so-called HD sets are only receiving analog signals through numerous splits, then these TVs are not displaying the pictures that one would normally develop from broadcast DTV signals that were initially developed from standard resolution analog signals, but if the tuners are receiving decoded 8VSB broadcast signals, then yes, that is probably the picture quality one would see in his own home using comparable equipment.
Bnewt's own viewing needs may best be met when DISH network gets its next spot beam satellite up and running and adds Louisville to its list. He may be living in a nightmarish broadcast reception situation as far as his local NBC DTV reception is concerned.
Bnewt, did you ever buy a ladder? You may wind up being one of those people who needs to try every gimmick in the book, including a rotor and a tilter. Sorry to have to give you the bad news.
Is there any talk of locating their digital transmitter to your Northwest with the other transmitters?