TV channels & antenna towers in Fort Lee, Virginia
Fort Lee has 32 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 19 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWBT (NBC), 9.2 miles to the W.
Network channels in Fort Lee
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWWBTNBC | 12 | 9.2 mi | 275° W | Good | Richmond, VA |
| FOXWRLH-TVFox | 35 | 15 mi | 275° W | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| CBSWTVR-TVCBS | 6 | 15 mi | 275° W | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| TLMWZTD-LDTelemundo | 45 | 15 mi | 275° W | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| ABCWRIC-TVABC | 8 | 15 mi | 275° W | Strong | Petersburg, VA |
| IONWFWG-LDION | 30.4 | 15 mi | 275° W | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| CWWUPVCW | 65 | 18 mi | 15° NNE | Good | Ashland, VA |
| CWWNLO-CDCW | 23 | 65 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Norfolk, VA |
| CWWVBTCW | 43.2 | 65 mi | 136° SE | Weak | Virginia Beach, VA |
| NBCWAVY-TVNBC | 10 | 65 mi | 136° SE | Weak | Portsmouth, VA |
| CBSWTKRCBS | 3 | 66 mi | 136° SE | Fair | Norfolk, VA |
| TBNWTPC-TVTrinity | 21 | 66 mi | 136° SE | Weak | Virginia Beach, VA |
| IONWPXV-TVION | 49 | 67 mi | 134° SE | Fair | Norfolk, VA |
| ABCWVECABC | 13 | 67 mi | 134° SE | Fair | Hampton, VA |
Over-the-air TV in Fort Lee
Fort Lee is a town of about 7,520 people in Virginia. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 32 licensed TV transmitters: 17 full-power, 5 Class A and 10 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 19 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 13 transmitters are within 25 miles, 0 between 25 and 45 miles, and 19 farther out. Five of the 14 network stations in range are licensed to Richmond, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Richmond's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 8 (WRIC-TV), CBS on channel 6 (WTVR-TV), NBC on channel 12 (WWBT), Fox on channel 35 (WRLH-TV), CW on channel 65 (WUPV), ION on channel 30.4 (WFWG-LD), Telemundo on channel 45 (WZTD-LD) and Trinity on channel 21 (WTPC-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal). 6 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 Fort Lee
Point your antenna W, at about 275°. The main network towers for Fort Lee sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WRLH-TV, WTVR-TV and WRIC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 15 miles west of Fort Lee (275° W). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Fort Lee at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Fort Lee, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Fort Lee
The farthest main network tower for Fort Lee is WRLH-TV (Fox), 15 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
WRLH-TV is only 15 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 Fort Lee
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRID-LDLow power | 9.2 mi | 275° W | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WCVE-TVFull power | 15 mi | 275° W | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WCVWFull power | 15 mi | 275° W | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WNVTFull power | 15 mi | 275° W | Good | Spotsylvania, VA |
| WUDW-LDLow power | 15 mi | 275° W | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| WWBK-LDLow power | 15 mi | 275° W | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| WITD-CDClass A | 65 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Chesapeake, VA |
| WKTD-CDClass A | 65 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Portsmouth, VA |
| WGNTFull power | 66 mi | 136° SE | Fair | Portsmouth, VA |
| WHRO-TVFull power | 66 mi | 136° SE | Fair | Hampton-Norfolk, VA |
| WTVZ-TVFull power | 66 mi | 136° SE | Fair | Norfolk, VA |
| WYSJ-CDClass A | 67 mi | 134° SE | Poor | Yorktown, VA |
| WJHJ-LDLow power | 67 mi | 134° SE | Poor | Newport News, Etc., VA |
| W26EV-DLow power | 67 mi | 134° SE | Poor | Portsmouth, VA |
| W13DV-DLow power | 67 mi | 327° NNW | Poor | Rapidan, VA |
| WMTO-LDLow power | 67 mi | 134° SE | Poor | Norfolk, VA |
| WGBS-LDLow power | 70 mi | 129° SE | Poor | Carrollton, VA |
| WJGN-CDClass A | 70 mi | 129° SE | Poor | Chesapeake, VA |
How Fort Lee compares with the rest of Virginia
With 19 stations at fair strength or better, Fort Lee ranks 130th of 381 places in Virginia: more than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 9.2 miles away, against a state median of 21 miles.
33% of Virginia's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Richmond, 7.9 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Fort Lee: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 275° W, the direction of WRLH-TV (Fox), 15 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 19 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 Fort Lee, VA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WRIC-TV, broadcasting from 15 miles W of Fort Lee. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Fort Lee, VA?
CBS is on channel 6 from WTVR-TV, broadcasting from 15 miles W of Fort Lee. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Fort Lee, VA?
NBC is on channel 12 from WWBT, broadcasting from 9.2 miles W of Fort Lee. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Fort Lee, VA?
Fox is on channel 35 from WRLH-TV, broadcasting from 15 miles W of Fort Lee. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Fort Lee, VA?
CW is on channel 65 from WUPV, broadcasting from 18 miles NNE of Fort Lee. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Fort Lee?
32 transmitters within 70 miles of Fort Lee; around 19 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 Fort Lee?
Point your antenna W, at about 275°. The main network towers for Fort Lee sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Fort Lee?
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 Fort Lee?
WRLH-TV is only 15 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 Fort Lee?
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 Virginia cities
- Sandston2.2 mi
- Montrose2.9 mi
- Highland Springs3.5 mi
- Bensley6.8 mi
- East Highland Park7.1 mi
- Bellwood7.6 mi
- Richmond7.9 mi
- Mechanicsville8.1 mi
- Meadowbrook8.2 mi
- Chamberlayne10 mi
- Lakeside11 mi
- Chester11 mi
- Dumbarton11 mi
- Bon Air12 mi
- Hopewell13 mi
- Tuckahoe14 mi
- Laurel14 mi
- Glen Allen15 mi
- Colonial Heights16 mi
- Brandermill18 mi
- Charles City18 mi
- Ettrick18 mi
- Short Pump19 mi
- Petersburg19 mi
More: all TV stations in Virginia · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Fort Lee; signal estimates ignore terrain.