Best TV antenna for Roanoke, VA
Roanoke-Lynchburg TV market · 9 stations · tower locations from FCC records, checked October 30, 2026
The short answer
- Get an antenna rated for VHF-high (channels 7–13) and UHF; many flat "HD" antennas are weak on VHF-high.
- Most towers are 12 miles west-southwest of Roanoke; aim west-southwest. Exceptions: WSET-TV (18 miles east), WWCW (18 miles east).
- From most of Roanoke an indoor antenna by a window often works; go to the attic or roof if you're in a basement, behind a hill or want the VHF stations.
- Nothing special is needed for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0): the same antenna works.
Measured from central Roanoke. Hills, buildings and trees matter as much as miles, so use your zip below and the address-level maps linked at the bottom before you buy.
Check from your zip code
Where Roanoke’s TV towers are
The channel number on your TV isn’t the frequency the station uses. The “real channel” decides which antenna you need: 2–6 is VHF-low, 7–13 VHF-high, 14–36 UHF.
| Station | Real channel | Tower from Roanoke |
|---|---|---|
| WSLS-TV (NBC 10) | 34 · UHF | 12 miles west-southwest |
| WPXR-TV (ION 38) | 27 · UHF | 12 miles west-southwest |
| WFXR (FOX 27) | 36 · UHF | 12 miles west-southwest |
| WBRA-TV (PBS 15) | 13 · VHF-high | 12 miles west-southwest |
| WDBJ (CBS 7) | 30 · UHF | 12 miles west-southwest |
| WZBJ (MyNetworkTV 24) | 30 · UHF | 12 miles west-southwest |
| WSET-TV (ABC 13) | 7 · VHF-high | 18 miles east |
| WWCW (CW 21) | 21 · UHF | 18 miles east |
| WZBJ-CD (MyNetworkTV) NextGen TV only | 19 · UHF | 44 miles east |
The VHF stations to plan for
WBRA-TV (PBS 15) and WSET-TV (ABC 13) broadcast on VHF-high (real channels 13 and 7). If those drop out while UHF stations come in fine, the antenna is the likely cause: pick one that lists VHF-high reception, or extend the rabbit-ear dipoles on an indoor model.
Which type to buy
- Indoor antenna: fine if you’re within roughly 20 miles of the towers with a window facing them, and if it lists VHF reception. Put it high and near the window.
- Attic or outdoor antenna: the better choice beyond about 20–25 miles, behind hills, or for the VHF stations. Outdoors beats attic; roofing and insulation absorb signal.
- Preamplifier: helps with long cable runs, several TVs on one antenna, or fringe distances. It can make things worse if you’re very close to the towers, because strong signals overload it.
- Skip anything sold as a special “4K”, “HD” or “NextGen TV” antenna. Antennas don’t have formats; only the bands and the gain matter.
Questions
What kind of antenna do I need in Roanoke?
You need an antenna rated for VHF-high (channels 7–13) and UHF; many flat "HD" antennas are weak on VHF-high. From most of Roanoke an indoor antenna by a window often works; go to the attic or roof if you're in a basement, behind a hill or want the VHF stations.
Which way should I point my antenna in Roanoke?
Most towers are 12 miles west-southwest of Roanoke; aim west-southwest. Exceptions: WSET-TV (18 miles east), WWCW (18 miles east).
Why can't my antenna get WBRA-TV (PBS 15) or WSET-TV (ABC 13)?
WBRA-TV (PBS 15) and WSET-TV (ABC 13) broadcast on VHF (real channels 13 and 7), even though your TV shows a different channel number. Many flat and "HD" indoor antennas are designed mainly for UHF and pick up VHF poorly. An antenna with longer VHF elements, mounted higher, usually fixes it.
Do I need a new antenna for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) in Roanoke?
No. NextGen TV uses the same channels, so any antenna that gets your stations today will get their NextGen TV versions. What you need is a TV or converter box with a 3.0 tuner. In Roanoke, the NextGen TV signals come from WZBJ-CD's transmitter.
Check your exact address
Distances don’t account for hills or buildings. For a signal prediction at your address, try the FCC’s DTV reception maps or the RabbitEars signal search.
Roanoke-Lynchburg: NextGen TV status and shutoff timeline →
Tower locations: FCC Licensing and Management System (each station’s latest filing). Zip and city locations: USPS zip code centroids. Distances are straight-line from the center of Roanoke.