WCAV (Fox) · Channel 27.2
Full power TV station · Charlottesville, Virginia
WCAV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with Fox on virtual channel 27.2, licensed to Charlottesville, Virginia. Its signal is estimated to reach about 84 cities and towns within 62 miles.
About WCAV
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 205 kW effective radiated power, WCAV runs more power than 47% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 329 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 40% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 54 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 62 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 84 cities and towns in our guide with about 701,000 residents, as far as Fredericksburg, VA (60 miles).
WCAV shares its transmitter site with WVAW-LD (ABC), WAHU-LD, WVIR-CD (CW), WVIR-TV (CW), WHTJ and WNVC. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other Fox station in our data is WSVF-CD in Harrisonburg, VA, 32 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
Fox is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks, known for its sports lineup including NFL, MLB and college football. Many Fox affiliates also produce local news.
Station facts
| Network | Fox |
| Virtual channel | 27.2 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Charlottesville, VA |
| Tower location | 37.98450, -78.48086 |
| Effective radiated power | 205 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 329 m (1,079 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 363 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WCAV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VA | 3.1 mi | 184° S | Strong |
| Pantops, VA | 3.7 mi | 202° SSW | Strong |
| Lake Monticello, VA | 9.0 mi | 298° WNW | Strong |
| Hollymead, VA | 9.4 mi | 193° SSW | Strong |
| Crozet, VA | 13 mi | 116° ESE | Good |
| Waynesboro, VA | 23 mi | 104° ESE | Good |
| Orange, VA | 27 mi | 228° SW | Good |
| Fishersville, VA | 28 mi | 106° ESE | Good |
| Stuarts Draft, VA | 30 mi | 96° E | Good |
| Elkton, VA | 30 mi | 165° SSE | Good |
| Verona, VA | 32 mi | 117° ESE | Good |
| Staunton, VA | 34 mi | 109° ESE | Good |
| Massanetta Springs, VA | 35 mi | 146° SE | Good |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 38 mi | 147° SSE | Good |
| Bridgewater, VA | 38 mi | 135° SE | Good |
| Culpeper, VA | 43 mi | 218° SW | Good |
| Broadway, VA | 47 mi | 158° SSE | Good |
| Luray, VA | 47 mi | 181° S | Good |
| Farmville, VA | 47 mi | 354° N | Fair |
| Buena Vista, VA | 51 mi | 70° ENE | Fair |
| Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA | 51 mi | 253° WSW | Fair |
| Wyndham, VA | 51 mi | 293° WNW | Fair |
| Madison Heights, VA | 52 mi | 42° NE | Fair |
| Short Pump, VA | 53 mi | 296° WNW | Fair |
| Lynchburg, VA | 54 mi | 42° NE | Fair |
| Lexington, VA | 54 mi | 75° ENE | Fair |
| West Lynchburg, VA | 55 mi | 43° NE | Fair |
| Bealeton, VA | 56 mi | 224° SW | Fair |
| Ashland, VA | 57 mi | 286° WNW | Fair |
| Tuckahoe, VA | 57 mi | 299° WNW | Fair |
| Glen Allen, VA | 58 mi | 293° WNW | Fair |
| Laurel, VA | 58 mi | 294° WNW | Fair |
| Woodlake, VA | 59 mi | 312° NW | Fair |
| Brandermill, VA | 59 mi | 310° NW | Fair |
| Bon Air, VA | 60 mi | 302° WNW | Fair |
| Fredericksburg, VA | 60 mi | 249° WSW | Fair |
| Falmouth, VA | 60 mi | 247° WSW | Fair |
| Dumbarton, VA | 60 mi | 296° WNW | Fair |
| Lakeside, VA | 61 mi | 296° WNW | Fair |
| Forest, VA | 62 mi | 46° NE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WCAV transmitter tower?
WCAV broadcasts from a tower at 37.9845, -78.4809, near Charlottesville, VA. It is licensed to Charlottesville, Virginia.
What channel is WCAV on?
WCAV appears as virtual channel 27.2 (27.2.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying Fox.
How far does WCAV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 62 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 70 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WCAV with an antenna?
About 701,000 people live in the 84 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WCAV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WCAV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.