TV channels & antenna towers in Elkin, North Carolina

Elkin is a town of about 4,060 people in North Carolina. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 34 licensed TV transmitters: 19 full-power, 2 Class A, 6 low-power and 7 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.

1 of them is within 25 miles of Elkin, 6 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 27 are more than 45 miles out. Four of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Charlotte, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Charlotte's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 45 (WXLV-TV), CBS on channel 3 (WBTV), NBC on channel 12 (WXII-TV), Fox on channel 46 (WJZY), CW on channel 20 (WCWG), ION on channel 16 (WGPX-TV) and MeTV on channel 18.3 (WCCB). 7 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around Elkin are in different directions: ABC 114° ESE (63 mi), CBS 197° SSW (64 mi), NBC 71° ENE (28 mi) and Fox 196° SSW (63 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Two network stations, WCWG and WXII-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 28 miles east of Elkin (71° ENE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 11 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Elkin at fair strength or better, 45% 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 Elkin, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

The farthest main network tower for Elkin is WBTV (CBS), 64 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.

With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Elkin ranks 328th of 465 places in North Carolina: fewer than the typical North Carolina town (19). Its nearest major network tower is 28 miles away, against a state median of 23 miles.

24% of North Carolina's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Statesville, 32 miles away.