TV channels & antenna towers in Soquel, California

Soquel has 64 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 32 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KBKF-LD, 10 miles to the NE.

64TV transmitters within 70 miles
10networks over the air
10 mito the closest tower
9,644population

Network channels in Soquel

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
CWKCBACW35 30 mi122° ESE FairSalinas, CA
PBSKQETPBS25 30 mi122° ESE FairWatsonville, CA
ABCKSBWABC8.2 30 mi122° ESE FairSalinas, CA
UNIKSMS-TVUnivision67 30 mi122° ESE FairMonterey, CA
TLMKMUV-LDTelemundo23 30 mi122° ESE FairMonterey, CA
UNIKDTV-DTUnivision14 36 mi7° N GoodSan Francisco, CA
MeTVKTLN-TVMeTV68.2 36 mi7° N FairPalo Alto, CA
TLMKSTSTelemundo48 36 mi7° N GoodSan Jose, CA
MeTVKMBY-LDMeTV27.1 36 mi149° SSE WeakMonterey, CA
FOXKION-TVFox46.2 36 mi149° SSE FairMonterey, CA
NBCKNTVNBC11 55 mi332° NNW FairSan Jose, CA
IONKKPX-TVION65 55 mi332° NNW GoodSan Jose, CA
CBSKPIX-TVCBS5 60 mi333° NNW GoodSan Francisco, CA
ABCKGO-TVABC7 60 mi333° NNW FairSan Francisco, CA
PBSKQEDPBS9 60 mi333° NNW GoodSan Francisco, CA
FOXKTVUFox2 60 mi333° NNW GoodOakland, CA
CWKRON-TVCW4 60 mi333° NNW FairSan Francisco, CA
MeTVKPYXMeTV44.3 60 mi333° NNW GoodSan Francisco, CA

Over-the-air TV in Soquel

With roughly 9,640 residents, Soquel is a town in California. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 64 licensed TV transmitters: 28 full-power, 4 Class A, 31 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 32 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 17 at good or strong strength.

3 of them are within 25 miles of Soquel, 30 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 31 are more than 45 miles out. Six of the 18 network stations in range are licensed to San Francisco, so most of the network channels you will find here come from San Francisco's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 8.2 (KSBW), CBS on channel 5 (KPIX-TV), NBC on channel 11 (KNTV), Fox on channel 2 (KTVU), PBS on channel 9 (KQED), CW on channel 35 (KCBA), ION on channel 65 (KKPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 48 (KSTS), Univision on channel 14 (KDTV-DT) and MeTV on channel 44.3 (KPYX). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (good signal). 12 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Which way to point your antenna in Soquel

The main network towers around Soquel are in different directions: ABC 122° ESE (30 mi), CBS 333° NNW (60 mi), NBC 332° NNW (55 mi), Fox 333° NNW (60 mi) and PBS 333° NNW (60 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Four network stations, KCBA, KQET, KSBW and KSMS-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 30 miles southeast of Soquel (122° ESE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 16 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Soquel at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Soquel, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Soquel

The farthest main network tower for Soquel is KQED (PBS), 60 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Soquel

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 46; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
KBKF-LDLow power10 mi 36° NEFairSan Jose, CA
KMCE-LDLow power11 mi 64° ENEGoodMonterey, CA
K02QX-DLow power11 mi 37° NEFairMorgan Hill, CA
K30OM-DTranslator30 mi 122° ESEWeakMonterey, CA
K21PI-DLow power30 mi 122° ESEWeakMonterey, CA
K09AAF-DLow power30 mi 122° ESEWeakMonterey, CA
K35PK-DLow power30 mi 122° ESEFairMonterey, CA
KDJT-CDClass A30 mi 122° ESEFairSalinas/Monterey,Etc, CA
K15CU-DLow power30 mi 122° ESEWeakSalinas, CA
K14TG-DLow power31 mi 163° SSEWeakMonterey, CA
KICU-TVFull power35 mi 8° NGoodSan Jose, CA
KAAP-LDLow power35 mi 8° NPoorSanta Cruz, CA
KTSFFull power36 mi 7° NGoodSan Francisco, CA
KAXT-CDClass A36 mi 7° NFairSan Franciso, San Jo, CA
KSCZ-LDLow power36 mi 7° NWeakSan Jose-San Francis, CA
K31OL-DLow power36 mi 149° SSEWeakSalinas, CA
KYMB-LDLow power36 mi 149° SSEWeakMonterey, CA
K12XN-DLow power36 mi 150° SSEPoorSalinas, CA
K33QY-DLow power36 mi 150° SSEPoorSalinas, CA
KOTR-LDLow power36 mi 150° SSEPoorMonterey, CA
K10RY-DLow power36 mi 149° SSEPoorSan Juan Bautista, CA
KLFB-LDLow power36 mi 149° SSEWeakSalinas, CA
KMMD-CDClass A36 mi 149° SSEWeakSalinas, CA
KBSVFull power48 mi 42° NEPoorCeres, CA
KOFY-TVFull power55 mi 332° NNWWeakSan Francisco, CA

How Soquel compares with the rest of California

With 32 stations at fair strength or better, Soquel ranks 352nd of 1,078 places in California: more than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 30 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

30% of California's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Santa Cruz, 4.2 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Soquel: step by step

  1. Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
  2. Point it toward 333° NNW, the direction of KQED (PBS), 60 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 32 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Soquel, CA?

ABC is on channel 8.2 from KSBW, broadcasting from 30 miles ESE of Soquel. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CBS in Soquel, CA?

CBS is on channel 5 from KPIX-TV, broadcasting from 60 miles NNW of Soquel. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Soquel, CA?

NBC is on channel 11 from KNTV, broadcasting from 55 miles NNW of Soquel. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is Fox in Soquel, CA?

Fox is on channel 2 from KTVU, broadcasting from 60 miles NNW of Soquel. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is PBS in Soquel, CA?

PBS is on channel 9 from KQED, broadcasting from 60 miles NNW of Soquel. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Soquel?

64 transmitters within 70 miles of Soquel; around 32 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Soquel?

The main network towers around Soquel are in different directions: ABC 122° ESE (30 mi), CBS 333° NNW (60 mi), NBC 332° NNW (55 mi), Fox 333° NNW (60 mi) and PBS 333° NNW (60 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

What kind of antenna do I need in Soquel?

Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below. The towers are spread over about 151° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Soquel?

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Soquel?

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

More: all TV stations in California · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Soquel; signal estimates ignore terrain.