TV channels & antenna towers in Rosslyn, Virginia
Rosslyn has 43 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 32 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WDCW (CW), 3.0 miles to the N.
Network channels in Rosslyn
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWWDCWCW | 50 | 3.0 mi | 351° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| NBCWRC-TVNBC | 4 | 3.0 mi | 351° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| TLMWZDC-CDTelemundo | 44 | 3.0 mi | 351° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| UNIWFDC-DTUnivision | 14 | 3.0 mi | 351° N | Strong | Arlington, VA |
| MeTVWDME-CDMeTV | 48.1 | 3.0 mi | 351° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| ABCWJLA-TVABC | 7 | 3.7 mi | 354° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| PBSWHUT-TVPBS | 32 | 3.7 mi | 354° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| CBSWUSACBS | 9 | 3.7 mi | 354° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| PBSWETA-TVPBS | 26 | 3.7 mi | 354° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| FOXWTTGFox | 5 | 4.9 mi | 339° NNW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| IONWPXW-TVION | 66 | 4.9 mi | 339° NNW | Strong | Manassas, VA |
| CBSWJZ-TVCBS | 13 | 38 mi | 37° NE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| ABCWMAR-TVABC | 2 | 38 mi | 37° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| NBCWBAL-TVNBC | 11 | 38 mi | 37° NE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| CWWNUVCW | 54 | 38 mi | 37° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| FOXWBFFFox | 45 | 38 mi | 37° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| IONWWPX-TVION | 60 | 44 mi | 302° WNW | Weak | Martinsburg, WV |
Over-the-air TV in Rosslyn
Rosslyn, Virginia has a population of about 9,600. There are 43 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 24 full-power, 6 Class A, 12 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 32 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 25 at good or strong strength.
22 of them are within 25 miles of Rosslyn, 12 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 9 are more than 45 miles out. Nine of the 17 network stations in range are licensed to Washington, DC, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Washington's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 7 (WJLA-TV), CBS on channel 9 (WUSA), NBC on channel 4 (WRC-TV), Fox on channel 5 (WTTG), PBS on channel 26 (WETA-TV), CW on channel 50 (WDCW), ION on channel 66 (WPXW-TV), Telemundo on channel 44 (WZDC-CD), Univision on channel 14 (WFDC-DT) and MeTV on channel 48.1 (WDME-CD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 9 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 Rosslyn
Point your antenna N, at about 351°. The main network towers for Rosslyn sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
11 network stations, WDCW, WRC-TV, WZDC-CD, WFDC-DT and WDME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 3.0 miles north of Rosslyn (351° N). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 16 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Rosslyn at fair strength or better, 69% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Rosslyn, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Rosslyn
The farthest main network tower for Rosslyn is WTTG (Fox), 4.9 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.
WDCW is only 3.0 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 Rosslyn
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 26; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMDO-CDClass A | 3.0 mi | 351° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| WRZB-LDLow power | 3.0 mi | 351° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| WWTD-LDLow power | 3.0 mi | 351° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| WDCO-CDClass A | 3.0 mi | 351° N | Strong | Woodstock, VA |
| WIAV-CDClass A | 3.0 mi | 351° N | Strong | Washington, DC |
| WJALFull power | 3.7 mi | 354° N | Strong | Silver Spring, MD |
| WDCAFull power | 4.9 mi | 339° NNW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| WDDN-LDLow power | 7.2 mi | 7° N | Good | Washington, DC |
| WDCN-LDLow power | 8.3 mi | 259° W | Fair | Fairfax, VA |
| WDWA-LDLow power | 16 mi | 1° N | Weak | Damascus, VA |
| W10DE-DLow power | 21 mi | 72° ENE | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WMPTFull power | 26 mi | 72° ENE | Strong | Annapolis, MD |
| WQAW-LDLow power | 26 mi | 72° ENE | Fair | Lake Shore, MD |
| WFPTFull power | 28 mi | 333° NNW | Fair | Frederick, MD |
| WUTBFull power | 38 mi | 37° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| WMPBFull power | 41 mi | 22° NNE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| WMJF-CDClass A | 43 mi | 36° NE | Weak | Towson, MD |
| WLZH-LDLow power | 51 mi | 33° NNE | Poor | Baltimore, MD |
| WDVM-TVFull power | 51 mi | 275° W | Good | Hagerstown, MD |
| W13DW-DLow power | 53 mi | 85° E | Poor | Annapolis, MD |
| WMDEFull power | 53 mi | 85° E | Poor | Dover, DE |
| W14DK-DLow power | 57 mi | 108° ESE | Poor | Dagsboro, DE |
| WWDD-LDLow power | 62 mi | 46° NE | Poor | Baltimore, MD |
| W13DV-DLow power | 65 mi | 231° SW | Poor | Rapidan, VA |
| W08EE-DTranslator | 66 mi | 307° NW | Poor | Martinsburg, WV |
How Rosslyn compares with the rest of Virginia
With 32 stations at fair strength or better, Rosslyn ranks 14th of 381 places in Virginia: more than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 3.0 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 Washington, D.C., 1.9 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Rosslyn: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 339° NNW, the direction of WTTG (Fox), 4.9 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 32 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 Rosslyn, VA?
ABC is on channel 7 from WJLA-TV, broadcasting from 3.7 miles N of Rosslyn. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Rosslyn, VA?
CBS is on channel 9 from WUSA, broadcasting from 3.7 miles N of Rosslyn. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Rosslyn, VA?
NBC is on channel 4 from WRC-TV, broadcasting from 3.0 miles N of Rosslyn. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Rosslyn, VA?
Fox is on channel 5 from WTTG, broadcasting from 4.9 miles NNW of Rosslyn. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is PBS in Rosslyn, VA?
PBS is on channel 26 from WETA-TV, broadcasting from 3.7 miles N of Rosslyn. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Rosslyn?
43 transmitters within 70 miles of Rosslyn; around 32 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 Rosslyn?
Point your antenna N, at about 351°. The main network towers for Rosslyn sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Rosslyn?
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 Rosslyn?
WDCW is only 3.0 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 Rosslyn?
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
- Arlington2.0 mi
- Baileys Crossroads4.4 mi
- Seven Corners4.8 mi
- Falls Church5.4 mi
- Lake Barcroft5.6 mi
- McLean6.2 mi
- Alexandria6.5 mi
- West Falls Church6.6 mi
- Lincolnia6.6 mi
- Pimmit Hills7.0 mi
- Huntington7.2 mi
- Idylwood7.5 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Washington, D.C., DC1.9 mi
- Adams Morgan, DC2.4 mi
- Shaw, DC2.9 mi
- Chevy Chase, DC4.7 mi
- Bethesda, MD6.0 mi
- Chillum, MD6.4 mi
- Mount Rainier, MD6.6 mi
- Takoma Park, MD6.6 mi
- Glassmanor, MD6.7 mi
- Silver Spring, MD6.9 mi
- Chevy Chase, MD7.3 mi
- Hillcrest Heights, MD7.5 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 Rosslyn; signal estimates ignore terrain.