TV channels & antenna towers in Sandston, Virginia
Sandston has 30 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 18 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWBT (NBC), 10 miles to the W.
Network channels in Sandston
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWWBTNBC | 12 | 10 mi | 263° W | Good | Richmond, VA |
| CWWUPVCW | 65 | 15 mi | 13° NNE | Good | Ashland, VA |
| FOXWRLH-TVFox | 35 | 16 mi | 267° W | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| CBSWTVR-TVCBS | 6 | 16 mi | 267° W | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| TLMWZTD-LDTelemundo | 45 | 16 mi | 267° W | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| ABCWRIC-TVABC | 8 | 16 mi | 267° W | Strong | Petersburg, VA |
| IONWFWG-LDION | 30.4 | 16 mi | 267° W | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| CWWNLO-CDCW | 23 | 66 mi | 137° SE | Poor | Norfolk, VA |
| CWWVBTCW | 43.2 | 66 mi | 137° SE | Weak | Virginia Beach, VA |
| NBCWAVY-TVNBC | 10 | 66 mi | 137° SE | Weak | Portsmouth, VA |
| CBSWTKRCBS | 3 | 67 mi | 138° SE | Fair | Norfolk, VA |
| TBNWTPC-TVTrinity | 21 | 67 mi | 138° SE | Poor | Virginia Beach, VA |
| IONWPXV-TVION | 49 | 68 mi | 136° SE | Weak | Norfolk, VA |
| ABCWVECABC | 13 | 68 mi | 136° SE | Fair | Hampton, VA |
Over-the-air TV in Sandston
Sandston, Virginia has a population of about 7,570. Our map shows 30 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 17 full-power, 4 Class A and 9 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 18 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.
13 of them are within 25 miles of Sandston, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 17 are more than 45 miles 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 Sandston
Point your antenna W, at about 266°. The main network towers for Sandston 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 16 miles west of Sandston (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 Sandston at fair strength or better, 57% 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 Sandston, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Sandston
The farthest main network tower for Sandston is WRLH-TV (Fox), 16 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.
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 Sandston
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 | 10 mi | 263° W | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WCVE-TVFull power | 16 mi | 267° W | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WCVWFull power | 16 mi | 267° W | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WNVTFull power | 16 mi | 267° W | Good | Spotsylvania, VA |
| WUDW-LDLow power | 16 mi | 267° W | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| WWBK-LDLow power | 16 mi | 267° W | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| WITD-CDClass A | 66 mi | 137° SE | Poor | Chesapeake, VA |
| WKTD-CDClass A | 66 mi | 137° SE | Poor | Portsmouth, VA |
| W13DV-DLow power | 66 mi | 326° NW | Poor | Rapidan, VA |
| WGNTFull power | 67 mi | 138° SE | Fair | Portsmouth, VA |
| WHRO-TVFull power | 67 mi | 138° SE | Fair | Hampton-Norfolk, VA |
| WTVZ-TVFull power | 67 mi | 138° SE | Fair | Norfolk, VA |
| WYSJ-CDClass A | 68 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Yorktown, VA |
| WJHJ-LDLow power | 68 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Newport News, Etc., VA |
| W26EV-DLow power | 68 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Portsmouth, VA |
| WMTO-LDLow power | 68 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Norfolk, VA |
How Sandston compares with the rest of Virginia
With 18 stations at fair strength or better, Sandston ranks 143rd of 381 places in Virginia: more than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 10 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 Mechanicsville, 6.7 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Sandston: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 267° W, the direction of WRLH-TV (Fox), 16 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 18 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 Sandston, VA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WRIC-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles W of Sandston. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Sandston, VA?
CBS is on channel 6 from WTVR-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles W of Sandston. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Sandston, VA?
NBC is on channel 12 from WWBT, broadcasting from 10 miles W of Sandston. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Sandston, VA?
Fox is on channel 35 from WRLH-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles W of Sandston. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Sandston, VA?
CW is on channel 65 from WUPV, broadcasting from 15 miles NNE of Sandston. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Sandston?
30 transmitters within 70 miles of Sandston; around 18 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 Sandston?
Point your antenna W, at about 266°. The main network towers for Sandston sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Sandston?
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 Sandston?
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 Sandston?
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
- Highland Springs1.7 mi
- Fort Lee2.2 mi
- Montrose3.4 mi
- East Highland Park6.4 mi
- Mechanicsville6.7 mi
- Richmond8.2 mi
- Bensley8.8 mi
- Chamberlayne9.4 mi
- Bellwood9.7 mi
- Meadowbrook10 mi
- Lakeside11 mi
- Dumbarton11 mi
- Bon Air13 mi
- Laurel13 mi
- Chester13 mi
- Tuckahoe14 mi
- Glen Allen14 mi
- Hopewell15 mi
- Charles City18 mi
- Central Garage18 mi
- Colonial Heights18 mi
- Short Pump18 mi
- New Kent18 mi
- Ashland19 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 Sandston; signal estimates ignore terrain.