WRDC
Full power TV station · Durham, North Carolina
WRDC is a full power over-the-air TV station, licensed to Durham, North Carolina. Its signal is estimated to reach about 161 cities and towns within 83 miles.
About WRDC
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 1,000 kW effective radiated power, WRDC runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 624 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 90% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 72 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 83 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 161 cities and towns in our guide with about 3,000,000 residents, as far as Danville, VA (79 miles).
WRDC shares its transmitter site with WRAL-TV (NBC), WRTD-CD (Telemundo), WNCN (CBS), WRAZ (Fox), WLFL (CW) and WNGT-CD and 1 more. 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 | Durham, NC |
| Tower location | 35.67472, -78.52750 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 624 m (2,047 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 54963 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WRDC
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton, NC | 4.3 mi | 293° WNW | Strong |
| Garner, NC | 5.5 mi | 117° ESE | Strong |
| Knightdale, NC | 8.2 mi | 199° SSW | Strong |
| Raleigh, NC | 9.2 mi | 137° SE | Strong |
| West Raleigh, NC | 11 mi | 135° SE | Strong |
| Smithfield, NC | 16 mi | 317° NW | Strong |
| Cary, NC | 16 mi | 119° ESE | Strong |
| Fuquay-Varina, NC | 17 mi | 68° ENE | Strong |
| Holly Springs, NC | 17 mi | 85° E | Strong |
| Apex, NC | 19 mi | 102° ESE | Strong |
| Morrisville, NC | 20 mi | 122° ESE | Strong |
| Wake Forest, NC | 21 mi | 183° S | Strong |
| Durham, NC | 30 mi | 137° SE | Good |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 34 mi | 119° ESE | Good |
| Wilson, NC | 34 mi | 265° W | Good |
| Carrboro, NC | 35 mi | 118° ESE | Good |
| Goldsboro, NC | 36 mi | 304° NW | Good |
| Sanford, NC | 39 mi | 70° ENE | Good |
| Spring Lake, NC | 43 mi | 35° NE | Good |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 45 mi | 246° WSW | Good |
| Fort Bragg, NC | 46 mi | 36° NE | Good |
| Henderson, NC | 46 mi | 189° S | Good |
| Fayetteville, NC | 47 mi | 25° NNE | Good |
| Mebane, NC | 51 mi | 125° SE | Good |
| Hope Mills, NC | 54 mi | 26° NNE | Good |
| Graham, NC | 56 mi | 119° ESE | Good |
| Tarboro, NC | 58 mi | 255° WSW | Good |
| Burlington, NC | 59 mi | 119° ESE | Good |
| Southern Pines, NC | 60 mi | 54° NE | Good |
| Kinston, NC | 60 mi | 298° WNW | Good |
| Elon, NC | 62 mi | 118° ESE | Good |
| Pinehurst, NC | 63 mi | 58° ENE | Good |
| Greenville, NC | 65 mi | 274° W | Good |
| Asheboro, NC | 72 mi | 91° E | Good |
| Roanoke Rapids, NC | 73 mi | 222° SW | Good |
| Greensboro, NC | 76 mi | 111° ESE | Fair |
| Lumberton, NC | 78 mi | 20° NNE | Fair |
| Reidsville, NC | 79 mi | 126° SE | Fair |
| Danville, VA | 79 mi | 142° SE | Fair |
| Laurinburg, NC | 82 mi | 40° NE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
- WRAL-TVNBC · 5
- WRTD-CDTelemundo · 54
- WNCNCBS · 17
- WRAZFox · 50
- WLFLCW · 22
- WTVDABC · 11
- WRPX-TVION · 47
- WUVC-DTUnivision · 40
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WRDC transmitter tower?
WRDC broadcasts from a tower at 35.6747, -78.5275, near Clayton, NC. It is licensed to Durham, North Carolina.
How far does WRDC broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 83 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 91 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WRDC with an antenna?
About 3,000,000 people live in the 161 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WRDC?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WRDC tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.