TV channels & antenna towers in Encinitas, California
Encinitas has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, PBS, CW and Telemundo. About 13 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KHAX-LD (Univision), 14 miles to the NNE.
Network channels in Encinitas
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIKHAX-LDUnivision | 49 | 14 mi | 26° NNE | Weak | Vista, CA |
| UNIKBNT-CDUnivision | 17 | 14 mi | 170° S | Fair | San Diego, CA |
| UNIKDTF-LDUnivision | 36.17 | 14 mi | 170° S | Fair | San Diego, CA |
| ABCKGTVABC | 10 | 14 mi | 170° S | Good | San Diego, CA |
| CWKFMB-TVCW | 8.2 | 14 mi | 170° S | Good | San Diego, CA |
| PBSKPBSPBS | 15 | 31 mi | 138° SE | Good | San Diego, CA |
| NBCKNSDNBC | 39 | 31 mi | 139° SE | Good | San Diego, CA |
| TLMKUAN-LDTelemundo | 48 | 31 mi | 139° SE | Good | Poway, Etc., CA |
| FOXKSWB-TVFox | 69 | 31 mi | 139° SE | Good | San Diego, CA |
| PBSKVCR-DTPBS | 24 | 64 mi | 0° N | Fair | San Bernardino, CA |
Over-the-air TV in Encinitas
Encinitas, California has a population of about 62,900. Our map shows 25 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 7 full-power, 2 Class A, 14 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 13 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
8 of them are within 25 miles of Encinitas, 10 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 7 are more than 45 miles out. Seven of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to San Diego, so most of the network channels you will find here come from San Diego's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 10 (KGTV), NBC on channel 39 (KNSD), Fox on channel 69 (KSWB-TV), PBS on channel 15 (KPBS), CW on channel 8.2 (KFMB-TV), Telemundo on channel 48 (KUAN-LD) and Univision on channel 17 (KBNT-CD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KPSP-CD in Cathedral City, CA, 76 miles to the northeast. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (fair signal). 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.
Which way to point your antenna in Encinitas
Point your antenna SE, at about 146°. The main network towers for Encinitas sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, KBNT-CD, KGTV and KFMB-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 14 miles south of Encinitas (170° S). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Encinitas at fair strength or better, 43% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Encinitas, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Encinitas
The farthest main network tower for Encinitas is KSWB-TV (Fox), 31 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Encinitas
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KZTC-LDLow power | 19 mi | 96° E | Fair | San Diego, CA |
| KVSD-LDLow power | 19 mi | 96° E | Fair | San Diego, CA |
| KSKT-CDClass A | 19 mi | 96° E | Fair | San Marcos, CA |
| KSDX-LDLow power | 31 mi | 138° SE | Poor | San Diego, CA |
| KRPE-LDLow power | 31 mi | 139° SE | Poor | San Diego, CA |
| KSDY-LDLow power | 31 mi | 139° SE | Weak | San Diego, CA |
| KUSI-TVFull power | 31 mi | 138° SE | Good | San Diego, CA |
| KZSD-LDLow power | 31 mi | 139° SE | Weak | San Diego, CA |
| K03JB-DTranslator | 39 mi | 12° NNE | Poor | Temecula, CA |
| K21MO-DLow power | 57 mi | 33° NNE | Poor | Riverside, CA |
| KVHD-LDLow power | 64 mi | 1° N | Poor | Los Angeles, CA |
| KRMV-LDLow power | 64 mi | 1° N | Poor | Riverside, CA |
| KZSW-LDLow power | 64 mi | 1° N | Poor | Riverside, CA |
| KILA-LDLow power | 64 mi | 0° N | Poor | Cherry Valley, CA |
| KRVD-LDLow power | 70 mi | 334° NNW | Poor | Santa Ana, CA |
How Encinitas compares with the rest of California
With 13 stations at fair strength or better, Encinitas ranks 832nd of 1,078 places in California: fewer than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 14 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.
48% of California's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Oceanside, 12 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Encinitas: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 139° SE, the direction of KSWB-TV (Fox), 31 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
- Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
- Expect around 13 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
- Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is ABC in Encinitas, CA?
ABC is on channel 10 from KGTV, broadcasting from 14 miles S of Encinitas. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Encinitas, CA?
NBC is on channel 39 from KNSD, broadcasting from 31 miles SE of Encinitas. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Encinitas, CA?
Fox is on channel 69 from KSWB-TV, broadcasting from 31 miles SE of Encinitas. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is PBS in Encinitas, CA?
PBS is on channel 15 from KPBS, broadcasting from 31 miles SE of Encinitas. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Encinitas, CA?
CW is on channel 8.2 from KFMB-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles S of Encinitas. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Encinitas?
25 transmitters within 70 miles of Encinitas; around 13 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic antenna. Each station usually carries several subchannels, so the total channel count after a scan is higher.
Which direction should I point my TV antenna in Encinitas?
Point your antenna SE, at about 146°. The main network towers for Encinitas sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Encinitas?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Encinitas?
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Encinitas?
Yes. The free RCA Signal Finder app for iPhone and Android uses your phone's GPS and compass to show which way each tower is from where you stand.
TV channels in nearby California cities
- Solana Beach3.4 mi
- Carlsbad9.0 mi
- San Marcos10 mi
- Sorrento Valley11 mi
- Rancho Penasquitos12 mi
- Vista12 mi
- Mira Mesa12 mi
- Oceanside12 mi
- La Jolla13 mi
- Escondido13 mi
- Camp Pendleton South14 mi
- Poway16 mi
- Camp Pendleton North19 mi
- Valley Center19 mi
- Eucalyptus Hills23 mi
- Santee23 mi
- San Diego23 mi
- Fallbrook24 mi
- La Mesa24 mi
- Ramona25 mi
- Lakeside25 mi
- Coronado25 mi
- Winter Gardens25 mi
- Lemon Grove25 mi
More: all TV stations in California · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Encinitas; signal estimates ignore terrain.