TV channels & antenna towers in Lincoln, Vermont
Lincoln 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 W25BT-D, 10 miles to the NW.
Network channels in Lincoln
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWPTZNBC | 5 | 30 mi | 17° NNE | Good | Plattsburgh, NY |
| CWWNNECW | 31 | 30 mi | 17° NNE | Good | Montpelier, VT |
| CBSWCAX-TVCBS | 3 | 30 mi | 17° NNE | Good | Burlington, VT |
| FOXWFFF-TVFox | 44 | 30 mi | 17° NNE | Fair | Burlington, VT |
| ABCWVNYABC | 22 | 30 mi | 17° NNE | Fair | Burlington, VT |
Over-the-air TV in Lincoln
Lincoln, Vermont has a population of about 1,270. Our map shows 17 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 10 full-power, 1 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, 8 between 25 and 45 miles, and 8 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.
For the networks, the best local options 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). 5 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 Lincoln
Point your antenna NNE, at about 17°. The main network towers for Lincoln 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 30 miles north of Lincoln (17° NNE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Lincoln at fair strength or better, all arrive from the north, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Lincoln, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Lincoln
The farthest main network tower for Lincoln is WFFF-TV (Fox), 30 miles away with a fair 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 Lincoln
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W25BT-DTranslator | 10 mi | 322° NW | Weak | Monkton, VT |
| W29EW-DTranslator | 30 mi | 314° NW | Poor | Willsboro, NY |
| WETKFull power | 30 mi | 17° NNE | Good | Burlington, VT |
| W23EU-DTranslator | 37 mi | 181° S | Poor | Rutland, VT |
| W36FE-DLow power | 50 mi | 123° ESE | Poor | Hanover, NH |
| WYCIFull power | 58 mi | 287° WNW | Poor | Saranac Lake, NY |
| WCFE-TVFull power | 60 mi | 313° NW | Fair | Plattsburgh, NY |
| WYCU-LDLow power | 60 mi | 144° SE | Poor | Charlestown, Etc., NH |
| WVTBFull power | 63 mi | 59° ENE | Fair | St. Johnsbury, VT |
| WLED-TVFull power | 65 mi | 74° ENE | Weak | Littleton, NH |
| W30DM-DTranslator | 65 mi | 185° S | Poor | Manchester, Etc., VT |
| WNCE-CDClass A | 68 mi | 214° SSW | Poor | Glens Falls, NY |
How Lincoln compares with the rest of Vermont
With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Lincoln ranks 26th of 82 places in Vermont: the same as the typical Vermont town (8). Its nearest major network tower is 30 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, 28 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Lincoln: 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 17° NNE, the direction of WFFF-TV (Fox), 30 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 Lincoln, VT?
ABC is on channel 22 from WVNY, broadcasting from 30 miles NNE of Lincoln. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Lincoln, VT?
CBS is on channel 3 from WCAX-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles NNE of Lincoln. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Lincoln, VT?
NBC is on channel 5 from WPTZ, broadcasting from 30 miles NNE of Lincoln. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Lincoln, VT?
Fox is on channel 44 from WFFF-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles NNE of Lincoln. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Lincoln, VT?
CW is on channel 31 from WNNE, broadcasting from 30 miles NNE of Lincoln. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Lincoln?
17 transmitters within 70 miles of Lincoln; 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 Lincoln?
Point your antenna NNE, at about 17°. The main network towers for Lincoln sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Lincoln?
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 Lincoln?
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 Lincoln?
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
- Middlebury (village)11 mi
- Waterbury20 mi
- Randolph21 mi
- Brandon22 mi
- Williston23 mi
- Montpelier23 mi
- Barre25 mi
- South Burlington26 mi
- Essex Junction27 mi
- Burlington28 mi
- Winooski28 mi
- Chelsea28 mi
- Colchester31 mi
- Rutland34 mi
- Morristown36 mi
- Woodstock41 mi
- Hardwick42 mi
- Hartford45 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Mineville, NY26 mi
- Ticonderoga, NY28 mi
- Keeseville, NY36 mi
- Whitehall, NY43 mi
- Hanover, NH45 mi
- Lyme, NH47 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 Lincoln; signal estimates ignore terrain.