TV channels & antenna towers in Portsmouth Heights, Virginia
Portsmouth Heights has 23 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, ION and Trinity. About 21 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WGBS-LD, 2.9 miles to the NNE.
Network channels in Portsmouth Heights
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONWPXV-TVION | 49 | 5.5 mi | 267° W | Strong | Norfolk, VA |
| ABCWVECABC | 13 | 5.5 mi | 267° W | Strong | Hampton, VA |
| CBSWTKRCBS | 3 | 7.5 mi | 264° W | Strong | Norfolk, VA |
| TBNWTPC-TVTrinity | 21 | 7.5 mi | 264° W | Strong | Virginia Beach, VA |
| CWWNLO-CDCW | 23 | 7.9 mi | 270° W | Good | Norfolk, VA |
| CWWVBTCW | 43.2 | 7.9 mi | 270° W | Strong | Virginia Beach, VA |
| NBCWAVY-TVNBC | 10 | 7.9 mi | 270° W | Strong | Portsmouth, VA |
Over-the-air TV in Portsmouth Heights
Portsmouth Heights is a city of about 99,000 people in Virginia. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 23 licensed TV transmitters: 11 full-power, 5 Class A and 7 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 21 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 20 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 20 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 2 farther out. Three of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Norfolk, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Norfolk's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 13 (WVEC), CBS on channel 3 (WTKR), NBC on channel 10 (WAVY-TV), CW on channel 43.2 (WVBT), ION on channel 49 (WPXV-TV) and Trinity on channel 21 (WTPC-TV). No Fox affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WRLH-TV in Richmond, VA, 83 miles to the northwest. 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 Portsmouth Heights
Point your antenna W, at about 267°. The main network towers for Portsmouth Heights sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Four network stations, WPXV-TV, WVEC, WTKR and WTPC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 5.5 miles west of Portsmouth Heights (267° W). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Portsmouth Heights at fair strength or better, all arrive from the west, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Portsmouth Heights, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Portsmouth Heights
The farthest main network tower for Portsmouth Heights is WAVY-TV (NBC), 7.9 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.
WPXV-TV is only 5.5 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 Portsmouth Heights
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WGBS-LDLow power | 2.9 mi | 18° NNE | Good | Carrollton, VA |
| WJGN-CDClass A | 2.9 mi | 18° NNE | Good | Chesapeake, VA |
| WVAD-LDLow power | 4.8 mi | 99° E | Good | Chesapeake, VA |
| WMTO-LDLow power | 5.2 mi | 263° W | Good | Norfolk, VA |
| W26EV-DLow power | 5.4 mi | 266° W | Good | Portsmouth, VA |
| WJHJ-LDLow power | 5.5 mi | 267° W | Good | Newport News, Etc., VA |
| WYSJ-CDClass A | 5.5 mi | 267° W | Good | Yorktown, VA |
| WGNTFull power | 7.5 mi | 264° W | Strong | Portsmouth, VA |
| WHRO-TVFull power | 7.5 mi | 264° W | Strong | Hampton-Norfolk, VA |
| WTVZ-TVFull power | 7.5 mi | 264° W | Strong | Norfolk, VA |
| WITD-CDClass A | 7.9 mi | 270° W | Fair | Chesapeake, VA |
| WKTD-CDClass A | 7.9 mi | 270° W | Good | Portsmouth, VA |
| WSKY-TVFull power | 21 mi | 170° S | Good | Manteo, NC |
| W18BB-DLow power | 38 mi | 167° SSE | Weak | Elizabeth City, NC |
| W15DO-DLow power | 54 mi | 198° SSW | Poor | Norfolk, VA |
| WUND-TVFull power | 64 mi | 179° S | Good | Edenton, NC |
How Portsmouth Heights compares with the rest of Virginia
With 21 stations at fair strength or better, Portsmouth Heights ranks 105th of 381 places in Virginia: more than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 5.5 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 Norfolk, 5.0 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Portsmouth Heights: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 270° W, the direction of WAVY-TV (NBC), 7.9 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 21 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 Portsmouth Heights, VA?
ABC is on channel 13 from WVEC, broadcasting from 5.5 miles W of Portsmouth Heights. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Portsmouth Heights, VA?
CBS is on channel 3 from WTKR, broadcasting from 7.5 miles W of Portsmouth Heights. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Portsmouth Heights, VA?
NBC is on channel 10 from WAVY-TV, broadcasting from 7.9 miles W of Portsmouth Heights. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Portsmouth Heights, VA?
CW is on channel 43.2 from WVBT, broadcasting from 7.9 miles W of Portsmouth Heights. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Portsmouth Heights?
23 transmitters within 70 miles of Portsmouth Heights; around 21 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 Portsmouth Heights?
Point your antenna W, at about 267°. The main network towers for Portsmouth Heights sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Portsmouth Heights?
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 Portsmouth Heights?
WPXV-TV is only 5.5 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 Portsmouth Heights?
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
- Portsmouth4.0 mi
- Norfolk5.0 mi
- Chesapeake5.2 mi
- Suffolk14 mi
- South Suffolk14 mi
- Hampton14 mi
- East Hampton15 mi
- Smithfield18 mi
- Newport News19 mi
- Windsor21 mi
- Poquoson21 mi
- Virginia Beach22 mi
- Gloucester Point31 mi
- Franklin32 mi
- Surry34 mi
- Williamsburg36 mi
- Cape Charles37 mi
- Gloucester Courthouse42 mi
- Waverly43 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Virginia · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Portsmouth Heights; signal estimates ignore terrain.