KCOS
Full power TV station · El Paso, Texas
KCOS is a full power over-the-air TV station, licensed to El Paso, Texas. Its signal is estimated to reach about 33 cities and towns within 52 miles.
About KCOS
Full-power stations are the main licensed broadcasters in a market. They may run the highest power from the tallest towers and are protected from interference, so they set the core of what you can receive.
At 42 kW effective radiated power, KCOS runs more power than 24% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW). Stations on VHF channels are licensed at much lower power than UHF stations to cover the same area, so a low figure does not always mean a weak signal.
Its antenna sits 259 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 18% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 49 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 52 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 33 cities and towns in our guide with about 995,000 residents, as far as Las Cruces, NM (40 miles).
KCOS shares its transmitter site with KINT-TV (Univision). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
Station facts
| Network | Independent / not listed |
| Virtual channel | Not listed |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | El Paso, TX |
| Tower location | 31.78750, -106.48028 |
| Effective radiated power | 42 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 259 m (850 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 19117 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive KCOS
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TX | 2.0 mi | 11° N | Strong |
| Fort Bliss, TX | 4.4 mi | 246° WSW | Strong |
| Sunland Park, NM | 5.9 mi | 96° E | Good |
| Santa Teresa, NM | 10 mi | 117° ESE | Good |
| Canutillo, TX | 11 mi | 141° SE | Good |
| Westway, TX | 13 mi | 154° SSE | Good |
| Vinton, TX | 13 mi | 148° SSE | Good |
| Socorro, TX | 14 mi | 311° NW | Good |
| Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, TX | 15 mi | 313° NW | Good |
| La Union, NM | 16 mi | 137° SE | Good |
| Sparks, TX | 16 mi | 299° WNW | Good |
| Anthony, TX | 16 mi | 153° SSE | Good |
| Anthony, NM | 17 mi | 154° SSE | Good |
| Chaparral, NM | 17 mi | 199° SSW | Good |
| Horizon City, TX | 17 mi | 292° WNW | Good |
| Homestead Meadows North, TX | 19 mi | 257° WSW | Good |
| San Elizario, TX | 19 mi | 319° NW | Good |
| Homestead Meadows South, TX | 19 mi | 265° W | Good |
| Clint, TX | 20 mi | 312° NW | Good |
| Berino, NM | 21 mi | 157° SSE | Good |
| Agua Dulce, TX | 22 mi | 295° WNW | Fair |
| Vado, NM | 25 mi | 154° SSE | Fair |
| Fabens, TX | 27 mi | 316° NW | Fair |
| Mesquite, NM | 29 mi | 154° SSE | Fair |
| San Miguel, NM | 29 mi | 150° SSE | Fair |
| Tornillo, TX | 33 mi | 316° NW | Fair |
| University Park, NM | 38 mi | 155° SSE | Fair |
| Mesilla, NM | 38 mi | 151° SSE | Fair |
| Las Cruces, NM | 40 mi | 154° SSE | Fair |
| White Sands, NM | 41 mi | 180° S | Fair |
| San Ysidro, NM | 43 mi | 153° SSE | Fair |
| Doña Ana, NM | 46 mi | 155° SSE | Fair |
| Fort Hancock, TX | 50 mi | 312° NW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the KCOS transmitter tower?
KCOS broadcasts from a tower at 31.7875, -106.4803, near El Paso, TX. It is licensed to El Paso, Texas.
How far does KCOS broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 52 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 61 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch KCOS with an antenna?
About 995,000 people live in the 33 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for KCOS?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the KCOS tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.