TV channels & antenna towers in Colchester, Vermont
Colchester has 12 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 WPTZ (NBC), 16 miles to the E.
Network channels in Colchester
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWPTZNBC | 5 | 16 mi | 94° E | Strong | Plattsburgh, NY |
| CWWNNECW | 31 | 16 mi | 94° E | Strong | Montpelier, VT |
| CBSWCAX-TVCBS | 3 | 16 mi | 94° E | Strong | Burlington, VT |
| FOXWFFF-TVFox | 44 | 16 mi | 94° E | Good | Burlington, VT |
| ABCWVNYABC | 22 | 16 mi | 94° E | Fair | Burlington, VT |
Over-the-air TV in Colchester
Colchester, Vermont has a population of about 17,000. Our map shows 12 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 9 full-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 8 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 3 farther out. Three of the 5 network stations in range are licensed to Burlington, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Burlington's stations.
The best-placed network stations 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 Colchester
Point your antenna E, at about 94°. The main network towers for Colchester 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 16 miles east of Colchester (94° E). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Colchester 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 Colchester, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Colchester
The farthest main network tower for Colchester is WFFF-TV (Fox), 16 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.
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Colchester
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WETKFull power | 17 mi | 94° E | Good | Burlington, VT |
| W29EW-DTranslator | 17 mi | 236° SW | Weak | Willsboro, NY |
| W25BT-DTranslator | 22 mi | 177° S | Weak | Monkton, VT |
| WCFE-TVFull power | 38 mi | 286° WNW | Fair | Plattsburgh, NY |
| WYCIFull power | 50 mi | 254° WSW | Poor | Saranac Lake, NY |
| WVTBFull power | 62 mi | 88° E | Fair | St. Johnsbury, VT |
| W23EU-DTranslator | 68 mi | 174° S | Poor | Rutland, VT |
How Colchester compares with the rest of Vermont
With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Colchester ranks 26th of 82 places in Vermont: the same as the typical Vermont town (8). Its nearest major network tower is 16 miles away, against a state median of 40 miles.
54% of Vermont's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Burlington, 5.7 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Colchester: step by step
- 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.
- Point it toward 94° E, the direction of WFFF-TV (Fox), 16 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 Colchester, VT?
ABC is on channel 22 from WVNY, broadcasting from 16 miles E of Colchester. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Colchester, VT?
CBS is on channel 3 from WCAX-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles E of Colchester. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Colchester, VT?
NBC is on channel 5 from WPTZ, broadcasting from 16 miles E of Colchester. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Colchester, VT?
Fox is on channel 44 from WFFF-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles E of Colchester. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Colchester, VT?
CW is on channel 31 from WNNE, broadcasting from 16 miles E of Colchester. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Colchester?
12 transmitters within 70 miles of Colchester; around 8 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 Colchester?
Point your antenna E, at about 94°. The main network towers for Colchester sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Colchester?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Colchester?
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Colchester?
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 Vermont cities
- Winooski4.1 mi
- Essex Junction4.1 mi
- South Burlington5.4 mi
- Burlington5.7 mi
- Milton6.9 mi
- Jericho7.9 mi
- Williston8.3 mi
- Hinesburg15 mi
- Saint Albans19 mi
- North Hero21 mi
- Waterbury24 mi
- Morristown26 mi
- Montpelier34 mi
- Middlebury (village)37 mi
- Hardwick39 mi
- Richford39 mi
- Barre40 mi
- Randolph49 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Keeseville, NY17 mi
- Plattsburgh, NY18 mi
- Dannemora, NY31 mi
- Rouses Point, NY33 mi
- Mineville, NY36 mi
- North Elba, NY45 mi
More: all TV stations in Vermont · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Colchester; signal estimates ignore terrain.