TV channels & antenna towers in Johnson, Vermont
Johnson has 13 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. About 9 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WETK, 10 miles to the SW.
Network channels in Johnson
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWFFF-TVFox | 44 | 10 mi | 221° SW | Good | Burlington, VT |
| ABCWVNYABC | 22 | 10 mi | 221° SW | Good | Burlington, VT |
| CBSWCAX-TVCBS | 3 | 10 mi | 221° SW | Strong | Burlington, VT |
| NBCWPTZNBC | 5 | 10 mi | 221° SW | Strong | Plattsburgh, NY |
| CWWNNECW | 31 | 10 mi | 221° SW | Strong | Montpelier, VT |
Over-the-air TV in Johnson
Johnson, Vermont has a population of about 1,450. There are 13 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 9 full-power, 1 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 6 at good or strong strength.
6 of them are within 25 miles of Johnson, 3 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 4 are more than 45 miles 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 Johnson
Point your antenna SW, at about 221°. The main network towers for Johnson sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Five network stations, WFFF-TV, WVNY, WCAX-TV, WPTZ and WNNE, transmit from the same tower site about 10 miles southwest of Johnson (221° SW). 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 Johnson at fair strength or better, all arrive from the southwest, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Johnson, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Johnson
The farthest main network tower for Johnson is WPTZ (NBC), 10 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.
WCAX-TV is only 10 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 Johnson
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 | 10 mi | 221° SW | Good | Burlington, VT |
| W25BT-DTranslator | 36 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Monkton, VT |
| WVTBFull power | 39 mi | 96° E | Fair | St. Johnsbury, VT |
| W29EW-DTranslator | 40 mi | 247° WSW | Poor | Willsboro, NY |
| WLED-TVFull power | 50 mi | 112° ESE | Fair | Littleton, NH |
| WCFE-TVFull power | 59 mi | 274° W | Fair | Plattsburgh, NY |
| W34DQ-DTranslator | 69 mi | 71° ENE | Poor | Pittsburgh, NH |
| W36FE-DLow power | 69 mi | 158° SSE | Poor | Hanover, NH |
How Johnson compares with the rest of Vermont
With 9 stations at fair strength or better, Johnson ranks 11th of 82 places in Vermont: more than the typical Vermont town (8). Its nearest major network tower is 10 miles away, against a state median of 40 miles.
7% of Vermont's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Burlington, 28 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Johnson: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 221° SW, the direction of WPTZ (NBC), 10 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 9 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 Johnson, VT?
ABC is on channel 22 from WVNY, broadcasting from 10 miles SW of Johnson. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Johnson, VT?
CBS is on channel 3 from WCAX-TV, broadcasting from 10 miles SW of Johnson. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Johnson, VT?
NBC is on channel 5 from WPTZ, broadcasting from 10 miles SW of Johnson. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Johnson, VT?
Fox is on channel 44 from WFFF-TV, broadcasting from 10 miles SW of Johnson. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Johnson, VT?
CW is on channel 31 from WNNE, broadcasting from 10 miles SW of Johnson. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Johnson?
13 transmitters within 70 miles of Johnson; around 9 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 Johnson?
Point your antenna SW, at about 221°. The main network towers for Johnson sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Johnson?
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 Johnson?
WCAX-TV is only 10 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 Johnson?
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
- Morristown6.1 mi
- Hardwick18 mi
- Waterbury21 mi
- Saint Albans23 mi
- Essex Junction23 mi
- Williston23 mi
- Colchester24 mi
- Richford25 mi
- Montpelier26 mi
- Winooski27 mi
- South Burlington27 mi
- Burlington28 mi
- Newport31 mi
- Barre32 mi
- North Hero32 mi
- Lyndon34 mi
- St Johnsbury36 mi
- Saint Johnsbury36 mi
- Chelsea46 mi
- Randolph49 mi
- Middlebury (village)49 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Vermont · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Johnson; signal estimates ignore terrain.