TV channels & antenna towers in Ilchester, Maryland

Ilchester has 43 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 33 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WJZ-TV (CBS), 8.4 miles to the NE.

43TV transmitters within 70 miles
10networks over the air
8.4 mito the closest tower
23,476population

Network channels in Ilchester

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
CBSWJZ-TVCBS13 8.4 mi46° NE GoodBaltimore, MD
ABCWMAR-TVABC2 8.4 mi46° NE StrongBaltimore, MD
NBCWBAL-TVNBC11 8.4 mi46° NE GoodBaltimore, MD
CWWNUVCW54 8.5 mi46° NE StrongBaltimore, MD
FOXWBFFFox45 8.5 mi46° NE StrongBaltimore, MD
ABCWJLA-TVABC7 27 mi219° SW FairWashington, DC
PBSWHUT-TVPBS32 27 mi219° SW GoodWashington, DC
CBSWUSACBS9 27 mi219° SW FairWashington, DC
PBSWETA-TVPBS26 27 mi219° SW GoodWashington, DC
FOXWTTGFox5 27 mi223° SW GoodWashington, DC
IONWPXW-TVION66 27 mi223° SW GoodManassas, VA
MeTVWDME-CDMeTV48.1 27 mi218° SW FairWashington, DC
CWWDCWCW50 27 mi218° SW GoodWashington, DC
NBCWRC-TVNBC4 27 mi218° SW GoodWashington, DC
TLMWZDC-CDTelemundo44 27 mi218° SW GoodWashington, DC
UNIWFDC-DTUnivision14 27 mi218° SW GoodArlington, VA
IONWWPX-TVION60 54 mi269° W WeakMartinsburg, WV
NBCWGALNBC8 55 mi8° N FairLancaster, PA

Over-the-air TV in Ilchester

With roughly 23,500 residents, Ilchester is a city in Maryland. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 43 licensed TV transmitters: 23 full-power, 6 Class A and 14 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 33 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 17 at good or strong strength.

14 of them are within 25 miles of Ilchester, 23 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 6 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 13 (WJZ-TV), NBC on channel 4 (WRC-TV), Fox on channel 45 (WBFF), PBS on channel 26 (WETA-TV), CW on channel 54 (WNUV), 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 (good signal) and Univision (good signal). 7 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 Ilchester

The main network towers around Ilchester are in different directions: ABC 46° NE (8.4 mi), CBS 46° NE (8.4 mi), NBC 218° SW (27 mi), Fox 46° NE (8.5 mi) and PBS 219° SW (27 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

11 network stations, WJLA-TV, WHUT-TV, WUSA, WETA-TV and WTTG and others, transmit from the same tower site about 27 miles southwest of Ilchester (219° SW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 17 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Ilchester at fair strength or better, 65% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Ilchester

The farthest main network tower for Ilchester is WRC-TV (NBC), 27 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

WMAR-TV is only 8.4 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 Ilchester

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WUTBFull power8.5 mi 46° NEStrongBaltimore, MD
WMPBFull power14 mi 357° NGoodBaltimore, MD
WMJF-CDClass A14 mi 39° NEFairTowson, MD
WDWA-LDLow power18 mi 244° WSWWeakDamascus, VA
W10DE-DLow power18 mi 169° SFairWashington, DC
WMPTFull power19 mi 153° SSEStrongAnnapolis, MD
WQAW-LDLow power19 mi 153° SSEFairLake Shore, MD
WLZH-LDLow power21 mi 31° NNEFairBaltimore, MD
WDDN-LDLow power23 mi 222° SWFairWashington, DC
WJALFull power27 mi 219° SWFairSilver Spring, MD
WDCAFull power27 mi 223° SWGoodWashington, DC
WDCO-CDClass A27 mi 218° SWFairWoodstock, VA
WIAV-CDClass A27 mi 218° SWFairWashington, DC
WMDO-CDClass A27 mi 218° SWFairWashington, DC
WRZB-LDLow power27 mi 218° SWFairWashington, DC
WWTD-LDLow power27 mi 218° SWFairWashington, DC
WFPTFull power29 mi 271° WFairFrederick, MD
WWDD-LDLow power33 mi 57° ENEWeakBaltimore, MD
WDCN-LDLow power36 mi 224° SWPoorFairfax, VA
W13DW-DLow power41 mi 119° ESEPoorAnnapolis, MD
WMDEFull power41 mi 119° ESEWeakDover, DE
WLZH-LDLow power46 mi 12° NNEPoorHarrisburg/Lancaster, PA
WLHY-LDLow power46 mi 12° NNEPoorLebanon - Harrisburg - York - la-Caster, PA
W14DK-DLow power57 mi 138° SEPoorDagsboro, DE
WRZH-LDLow power62 mi 345° NNWPoorLancaster, PA

How Ilchester compares with the rest of Maryland

With 33 stations at fair strength or better, Ilchester ranks 50th of 346 places in Maryland: more than the typical Maryland town (32). Its nearest major network tower is 8.4 miles away, against a state median of 16 miles.

66% of Maryland's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Ellicott City, 2.1 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Ilchester: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 218° SW, the direction of WRC-TV (NBC), 27 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 33 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 Ilchester, MD?

ABC is on channel 2 from WMAR-TV, broadcasting from 8.4 miles NE of Ilchester. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Ilchester, MD?

CBS is on channel 13 from WJZ-TV, broadcasting from 8.4 miles NE of Ilchester. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Ilchester, MD?

NBC is on channel 4 from WRC-TV, broadcasting from 27 miles SW of Ilchester. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Ilchester, MD?

Fox is on channel 45 from WBFF, broadcasting from 8.5 miles NE of Ilchester. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is PBS in Ilchester, MD?

PBS is on channel 26 from WETA-TV, broadcasting from 27 miles SW of Ilchester. Estimated signal: good.

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

43 transmitters within 70 miles of Ilchester; around 33 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 Ilchester?

The main network towers around Ilchester are in different directions: ABC 46° NE (8.4 mi), CBS 46° NE (8.4 mi), NBC 218° SW (27 mi), Fox 46° NE (8.5 mi) and PBS 219° SW (27 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

What kind of antenna do I need in Ilchester?

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. The towers are spread over about 173° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Ilchester?

WMAR-TV is only 8.4 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 Ilchester?

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

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