[kieths]

Hahahaa... You're a riot.

Ok... specifics to add spice to life:

I assumed by the writer's name, the ethnic interest in Indian channels, specifically channels KTNC (channel 42 / virtual channel 1-3 or 1-4), and KTSF (channel 26-4, I believe).

KTNC ch 42 transmits in San Jose, CA, a distance of about 5 miles, but at low power (12.2kw), at an angle of about 123 degrees. I found (no shock) that some tuners auto-place this channel in the line-up as channel 1-x (includes sub-channels 1-1~1-15, the first channel being the local channel listing guide, and the last 3 channels being audio only), while others (the early Magnavox converter box comes to mind), leave it in it's original 42-x position.

KTSF ch 26 transmits in San Francisco, CA, a distance of about 28 miles, 291 degrees, with a stronger signal (858kw).

But as I mentioned in my previous posting, channel 7, KGO-TV, in San Francisco, CA, 31 miles is a challenging signal (298 degrees)(with a weak 23.8kw), especially if your antenna is pointing to San Jose and showing a backside to San Francisco. There are other weak channels in the SF lineup other than ch 7, but I didn't go through and write down each unstable SF channel I saw with my original single direction antenna setup.

There is no challenge in pulling in both directions using a rotator. But as an option for a more stable mounting, I opted to use the Winegard HD8200U pointed to about 310 degrees in favor of pulling the weaker 68-1, KTLN-TV, and a second antenna on the same pole but separated by about 2.5 feet - an Antennacraft HD1850 pointed to 125 degrees to pull in the San Jose, CA stations. I found that channel KTNC (above) was relatively weak at my location (35% signal strength with indoor antenna, 40% with a basic bowtie outdoors ground level). The signal was not stable, and froze regularly. I opted for the overkill, HD1850, to ensure solid signal despite weather.

The 'secret' (was it a secret?) source for amazing open box deals is none other than Digicircle (yes, they sell exclusively via their website, though they allow local pickup). They don't stock squat...that is, it's just pot luck. If they've got it, it's a good deal; once sold, they may never sell the same thing again. My antenna from them, the HD1850, sold for about $40 (vs. the suggested $200+ MSRP, or online best-price-I've-seen of $104 + shipping). Mine was supposedly in 'like new' condition. It was...open box, and the box indicated it had previously been sold to Radio Shack. It works well, though I wouldn't agree with, "like new".

More secrets? Oh, yes, the antenna pole, a 10.5 foot cyclone fence top post (about $10 from Home Depot), and a chimney mount kit (Channel Master, I think) from Fry's Electronics locally (about $25, I think).

Hmmm... did I leave anything out--- yes.. I put all my connections inside a weather proof plastic box mounted on my chimney.

If that's not TMI, and if there are actually still questions (shock!), just ask.

I cut non-English/Chinese channels from my TV channel line-up, and my lineup now includes English:40 channels, and Chinese:8 channels. I didn't tally other languages, sorry.