TV channels & antenna towers in Ashton-Sandy Spring, Maryland
Ashton-Sandy Spring has 46 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 35 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WDWA-LD, 3.6 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Ashton-Sandy Spring
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWTTGFox | 5 | 14 mi | 203° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| IONWPXW-TVION | 66 | 14 mi | 203° SSW | Strong | Manassas, VA |
| ABCWJLA-TVABC | 7 | 14 mi | 196° SSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| PBSWHUT-TVPBS | 32 | 14 mi | 196° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| CBSWUSACBS | 9 | 14 mi | 196° SSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| PBSWETA-TVPBS | 26 | 14 mi | 196° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| MeTVWDME-CDMeTV | 48.1 | 15 mi | 196° SSW | Fair | Washington, DC |
| CWWDCWCW | 50 | 15 mi | 196° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| NBCWRC-TVNBC | 4 | 15 mi | 196° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| TLMWZDC-CDTelemundo | 44 | 15 mi | 196° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| UNIWFDC-DTUnivision | 14 | 15 mi | 196° SSW | Strong | Arlington, VA |
| CBSWJZ-TVCBS | 13 | 23 mi | 56° NE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| ABCWMAR-TVABC | 2 | 23 mi | 56° NE | Strong | Baltimore, MD |
| NBCWBAL-TVNBC | 11 | 23 mi | 56° NE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| CWWNUVCW | 54 | 23 mi | 56° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| FOXWBFFFox | 45 | 23 mi | 56° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| IONWWPX-TVION | 60 | 41 mi | 279° W | Weak | Martinsburg, WV |
| NBCWGALNBC | 8 | 64 mi | 18° NNE | Weak | Lancaster, PA |
Over-the-air TV in Ashton-Sandy Spring
Ashton-Sandy Spring, Maryland has a population of about 5,630. Our map shows 46 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 25 full-power, 6 Class A, 14 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 35 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 21 at good or strong strength.
32 of them are within 25 miles of Ashton-Sandy Spring, 3 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 11 are more than 45 miles out. Nine of the 18 network stations in range are licensed to Washington, DC, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Washington's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 2 (WMAR-TV), CBS on channel 9 (WUSA), NBC on channel 4 (WRC-TV), Fox on channel 5 (WTTG), PBS on channel 26 (WETA-TV), CW on channel 50 (WDCW), ION on channel 66 (WPXW-TV), Telemundo on channel 44 (WZDC-CD), Univision on channel 14 (WFDC-DT) and MeTV on channel 48.1 (WDME-CD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 9 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 Ashton-Sandy Spring
The main network towers around Ashton-Sandy Spring are in different directions: ABC 56° NE (23 mi), CBS 196° SSW (14 mi), NBC 196° SSW (15 mi), Fox 203° SSW (14 mi) and PBS 196° SSW (14 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
11 network stations, WTTG, WPXW-TV, WJLA-TV, WHUT-TV and WUSA and others, transmit from the same tower site about 14 miles southwest of Ashton-Sandy Spring (203° SSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 16 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Ashton-Sandy Spring at fair strength or better, 56% 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 Ashton-Sandy Spring, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Ashton-Sandy Spring
The farthest main network tower for Ashton-Sandy Spring is WMAR-TV (ABC), 23 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
WTTG is only 14 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Other stations near Ashton-Sandy Spring
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 28; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDWA-LDLow power | 3.6 mi | 252° WSW | Fair | Damascus, VA |
| WDDN-LDLow power | 11 mi | 195° SSW | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WDCAFull power | 14 mi | 203° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| WJALFull power | 14 mi | 196° SSW | Good | Silver Spring, MD |
| WDCO-CDClass A | 15 mi | 196° SSW | Fair | Woodstock, VA |
| WIAV-CDClass A | 15 mi | 196° SSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WMDO-CDClass A | 15 mi | 196° SSW | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WRZB-LDLow power | 15 mi | 196° SSW | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WWTD-LDLow power | 15 mi | 196° SSW | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WFPTFull power | 18 mi | 295° WNW | Good | Frederick, MD |
| W10DE-DLow power | 20 mi | 124° SE | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WDCN-LDLow power | 22 mi | 212° SSW | Fair | Fairfax, VA |
| WUTBFull power | 23 mi | 56° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| WMPTFull power | 23 mi | 114° ESE | Strong | Annapolis, MD |
| WQAW-LDLow power | 23 mi | 114° ESE | Fair | Lake Shore, MD |
| WMPBFull power | 24 mi | 30° NNE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| WMJF-CDClass A | 28 mi | 51° NE | Fair | Towson, MD |
| WLZH-LDLow power | 35 mi | 43° NE | Weak | Baltimore, MD |
| WWDD-LDLow power | 48 mi | 58° ENE | Poor | Baltimore, MD |
| W13DW-DLow power | 51 mi | 105° ESE | Poor | Annapolis, MD |
| WMDEFull power | 51 mi | 105° ESE | Poor | Dover, DE |
| WDVM-TVFull power | 56 mi | 257° WSW | Good | Hagerstown, MD |
| WLZH-LDLow power | 57 mi | 23° NNE | Poor | Harrisburg/Lancaster, PA |
| WLHY-LDLow power | 57 mi | 23° NNE | Poor | Lebanon - Harrisburg - York - la-Caster, PA |
| W08EE-DTranslator | 60 mi | 291° WNW | Poor | Martinsburg, WV |
How Ashton-Sandy Spring compares with the rest of Maryland
With 35 stations at fair strength or better, Ashton-Sandy Spring ranks 1st of 346 places in Maryland: more than the typical Maryland town (32). Its nearest major network tower is 14 miles away, against a state median of 16 miles.
22% of Maryland's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Olney, 3.3 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Ashton-Sandy Spring: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 56° NE, the direction of WMAR-TV (ABC), 23 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 35 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 Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD?
ABC is on channel 2 from WMAR-TV, broadcasting from 23 miles NE of Ashton-Sandy Spring. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD?
CBS is on channel 9 from WUSA, broadcasting from 14 miles SSW of Ashton-Sandy Spring. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD?
NBC is on channel 4 from WRC-TV, broadcasting from 15 miles SSW of Ashton-Sandy Spring. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD?
Fox is on channel 5 from WTTG, broadcasting from 14 miles SSW of Ashton-Sandy Spring. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is PBS in Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD?
PBS is on channel 26 from WETA-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles SSW of Ashton-Sandy Spring. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Ashton-Sandy Spring?
46 transmitters within 70 miles of Ashton-Sandy Spring; around 35 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Ashton-Sandy Spring?
The main network towers around Ashton-Sandy Spring are in different directions: ABC 56° NE (23 mi), CBS 196° SSW (14 mi), NBC 196° SSW (15 mi), Fox 203° SSW (14 mi) and PBS 196° SSW (14 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Ashton-Sandy Spring?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Ashton-Sandy Spring?
WTTG is only 14 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Ashton-Sandy Spring?
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 Maryland cities
- Cloverly2.9 mi
- Olney3.3 mi
- Layhill4.5 mi
- Burtonsville4.7 mi
- Leisure World4.7 mi
- Rossmoor4.8 mi
- Colesville5.1 mi
- Scaggsville5.6 mi
- Fairland5.7 mi
- Aspen Hill6.1 mi
- Riverside6.6 mi
- Glenmont6.8 mi
- Calverton7.4 mi
- Redland7.5 mi
- White Oak7.6 mi
- Kemp Mill7.7 mi
- Wheaton8.1 mi
- Hillandale8.7 mi
- Four Corners8.9 mi
- North Kensington9.0 mi
- Laurel9.1 mi
- Rockville9.1 mi
- North Bethesda9.5 mi
- Beltsville9.5 mi
More: all TV stations in Maryland · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Ashton-Sandy Spring; signal estimates ignore terrain.