TV channels & antenna towers in North Elba, New York
North Elba has 17 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. About 8 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WYCI, 11 miles to the NW.
Network channels in North Elba
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWWNY-CDFox | 7.2 | 48 mi | 291° WNW | Poor | Massena, NY |
| NBCWPTZNBC | 5 | 60 mi | 70° ENE | Good | Plattsburgh, NY |
| CWWNNECW | 31 | 60 mi | 70° ENE | Good | Montpelier, VT |
| CBSWCAX-TVCBS | 3 | 60 mi | 70° ENE | Good | Burlington, VT |
| FOXWFFF-TVFox | 44 | 60 mi | 70° ENE | Fair | Burlington, VT |
| ABCWVNYABC | 22 | 60 mi | 70° ENE | Weak | Burlington, VT |
Over-the-air TV in North Elba
North Elba, New York has a population of about 8,470. There are 17 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 9 full-power, 2 Class A, 2 low-power and 4 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 4 between 25 and 45 miles, and 12 farther out. Three of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Burlington, VT, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Burlington's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 22 (WVNY), CBS on channel 3 (WCAX-TV), NBC on channel 5 (WPTZ), Fox on channel 44 (WFFF-TV) and CW on channel 31 (WNNE). 4 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 North Elba
Point your antenna ENE, at about 70°. The main network towers for North Elba sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Five network stations, WPTZ, WNNE, WCAX-TV, WFFF-TV and WVNY, transmit from the same tower site about 60 miles east of North Elba (70° ENE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach North Elba at fair strength or better, all arrive from the east, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from North Elba, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for North Elba
The farthest main network tower for North Elba is WFFF-TV (Fox), 60 miles away with a fair 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 North Elba
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WYCIFull power | 11 mi | 308° NW | Good | Saranac Lake, NY |
| W25AT-DTranslator | 26 mi | 258° WSW | Poor | Tupper Lake, NY |
| W29EW-DTranslator | 28 mi | 66° ENE | Weak | Willsboro, NY |
| WCFE-TVFull power | 31 mi | 6° N | Fair | Plattsburgh, NY |
| W25BT-DTranslator | 41 mi | 92° E | Poor | Monkton, VT |
| WNPI-DTFull power | 48 mi | 291° WNW | Fair | Norwood, NY |
| W26EP-DLow power | 59 mi | 298° WNW | Poor | Potsdam, NY |
| WETKFull power | 60 mi | 71° ENE | Fair | Burlington, VT |
| WVNG-LDLow power | 60 mi | 290° WNW | Poor | Canton, NY |
| W23EU-DTranslator | 66 mi | 134° SE | Poor | Rutland, VT |
| WNCE-CDClass A | 67 mi | 171° S | Poor | Glens Falls, NY |
How North Elba compares with the rest of New York
With 8 stations at fair strength or better, North Elba ranks 964th of 1,012 places in New York: fewer than the typical New York town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 48 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.
24% of New York's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Burlington, 40 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in North Elba: step by step
- 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.
- Point it toward 70° ENE, the direction of WFFF-TV (Fox), 60 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 8 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 North Elba, NY?
ABC is on channel 22 from WVNY, broadcasting from 60 miles ENE of North Elba. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CBS in North Elba, NY?
CBS is on channel 3 from WCAX-TV, broadcasting from 60 miles ENE of North Elba. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in North Elba, NY?
NBC is on channel 5 from WPTZ, broadcasting from 60 miles ENE of North Elba. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in North Elba, NY?
Fox is on channel 44 from WFFF-TV, broadcasting from 60 miles ENE of North Elba. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in North Elba, NY?
CW is on channel 31 from WNNE, broadcasting from 60 miles ENE of North Elba. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in North Elba?
17 transmitters within 70 miles of North Elba; around 8 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 North Elba?
Point your antenna ENE, at about 70°. The main network towers for North Elba sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in North Elba?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in North Elba?
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 North Elba?
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 New York cities
- Lake Placid2.9 mi
- Saranac Lake11 mi
- Elizabethtown18 mi
- Mineville24 mi
- Tupper Lake25 mi
- Port Henry28 mi
- Keeseville30 mi
- Peru31 mi
- Dannemora35 mi
- Ticonderoga38 mi
- Plattsburgh40 mi
- Malone45 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Addison, VT34 mi
- Charlotte, VT35 mi
- Vergennes, VT35 mi
- Ferrisburgh, VT35 mi
- Bridport, VT36 mi
- Burlington, VT40 mi
- Winooski, VT42 mi
- South Burlington, VT42 mi
- Middlebury (village), VT42 mi
- Colchester, VT45 mi
- Essex Junction, VT45 mi
- Williston, VT46 mi
More: all TV stations in New York · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of North Elba; signal estimates ignore terrain.