Washington/Baltimore Metro Capital Area Digital TV Channels and Free Reception.

Washington D.C.

Watch this 8 minute HDTV Movie from the Consumer Electronics Association

Getting the most from America's New High-Definition Television System is simple and inexpensive. You just need an antenna and a reliable Tuner/Converter Box for your existing TV. You can tune everything digital right now. No need to get cable, satellite or a new set to enjoy Free HDTV.

"Multicasting" allows stations to broadcast up to six new channels in the space of their old one. Channel 9, for instance, is now RF Channel 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, etc. Cable and satellite would have you believe they have what you need to enjoy the new digital channels. But that's only part true...

Cable and satellite compress and leave out most RF Channels to save space for other $ervice$. To get genuine HDTV just add an antenna and converter to your existing setup. You'll be amazed how many HDTV channels you can tune, and how much better everything looks over-the-air!

Our goal is to help you transition to HDTV. This site describes what's out there and how to tune into it. An example of selecting an antenna type to tune one neighborhood's HDTV is included.

Find the Keys to Enjoying America's new HDTV System!

43 Washington D.C. HDTV Channels
Station Chan. RF Channel Network

WRCDT 4.1 48 NBC

WRCDT2 4.2 48 NBC

WTTGDT 5.1 36 Fox

WJLADT 7.1 39 ABC

WJLADT2 7.2 39 Ind

WUSADT 9.1 34 CBS

WUSADT2 9.2 34 Ind

WFDCDT 14.1 15 USI

WDCADT 20.1 35 MyN

WHAGDT 25.1 55 NBC

WETADT 26.1 27 PBS

WETADT2 26.2 27 PBS

WETADT3 26.3 27 PBS

WETADT4 26.4 27 PBS

WNVTDT 30.1 30 Ind

WNVTDT2 30.2 30 Ind

WNVTDT3 30.3 30 Ind

WNVTDT4 30.4 30 Ind

WNVTDT5 30.5 30 Ind

WWPBDT 31.1 44 PBS

WWPBDT2 31.2 44 PBS

WWPBDT3 31.3 44 PBS

WWPBDT4 31.4 44 PBS

WWPBDT5 31.5 44 PBS

WDCWDT 50.1 51 CW

WDCWDT2 50.2 51 Ind

WVPTDT 51.1 11 EDU

MHzNet 53.1 30 Ind

WNVCDT 57.1 24 Ind

WNVCDT 57.1 57 Ind

WNVCDT2 57.2 24 Ind

WNVCDT3 57.3 24 Ind

WNVCDT4 57.4 24 Ind

WWPXDT 60.1 12 i

WWPXDT2 60.2 12 Ind

WWPXDT3 60.3 12 Ind

WWPXDT4 60.4 12 Ind

WFPTDT 62.1 28 PBS

WFPTDT2 62.2 28 PBS

WFPTDT3 62.3 28 PBS

WPXWDT 66.1 43 i

WPXWDT2 66.2 43 Ind

WPXWDT3 66.3 43 Ind

WPXWDT4 66.4 43 Pax

WPXWDT6 66.6 43 Ind

25 Baltimore Area HDTV Channels

WMARDT 2.1 52 ABC

WMARDT2 2.2 52 ABC

WMARDT3 2.3 52 Ind

WBALDT 11.1 59 NBC

WBALDT2 11.2 59 Ind

WJZDT 13.1 38 CBS

WMPTDT 22.1 42 PBS

WMPTDT2 22.2 42 PBS

WMPTDT3 22.3 42 PBS

WMPTDT4 22.4 42 PBS

WMPTDT5 22.5 42 PBS

WUTBDT 24.1 41 MyN

WGPTDT 36.1 54 PBS

WGPTDT2 36.2 54 PBS

WGPTDT3 36.3 54 PBS

WGPTDT4 36.4 54 PBS

WGPTDT5 36.5 54 PBS

WBFFDT 45.1 46 Fox

WBFFDT2 45.2 46 Ind

WNUVDT 54.1 40 CW

WMPBDT 67.1 29 PBS

WMPBDT2 67.2 29 PBS

WMPBDT3 67.3 29 PBS

WMPBDT4 67.4 29 PBS

WMPBDT5 67.5 29 PBS

All 69 of these new channels, and many more, are Free! No cable or satellite is needed for any of them. Just select an Antenna, using the instructions below, to receive crystal clear HDTV signals Free in the Baltimore / D.C. Area.

Antenna Selection Guide
To find the perfect antenna, first list the RF Channels around Washington which you want to watch. The CEA, Consumer Electronics Association, and NAB, National Association of Broadcasters, created the AntennaWeb to help you with the rest. Free! For non-experts, a working example of it is presented here.

NOTE that all TV stations will be transmitting on different channels then they are now. But to avoid confusion, the new tuners allow a station to keep its old channel number while automatically switching you to its new RF Channel. Some of them will be VHF RF Channels; most will use UHF.

RF Channels on your list numbered less than 14 are VHF. In general, they need a broader antenna than UHF channels, the ones numbered 14 and up. Since HDTV is 91% UHF, you probably won't need a bulky VHF Antenna at all.

Most will need an Indoor Antenna which can work with an old TV and Converter Box or new HDTV with an "antenna in" post on the back. Some will need Outdoor Antennas. Whichever your situation, find a store with someone who uses the antenna(s) you plan to buy... or one with a good return policy!

PRESS HERE to use the Antenna Selection Guide

AntennaWeb.org's Front Page

Example Street Level Map and Station Table from AntennaWeb.org

EXAMPLE... We'll use a site near Tampa:
ENTER... 11565 66th Ave, Seminole, FL, 33772
on the Pop-Up form to get:

Stations and Antenna Types
Channel Lists below are arranged by ease of reception, with the strongest stations, which need the smallest antennas, at the top. To find the antenna for this example, record the color codes of channels you want for use on the "Color Codes" Charts below.

Select Digital Stations Only then press the "View Street Level Map" bar to build the Compass Orientation map at right. You need to point your antenna in the listed directions to receive various channels. A rotor can be used, and would be needed here, even in a nearby city, for staggered and distant stations.

...Select Digital Stations Only for This Example ...

Cross-checking this Table with Tampa's RF Channel List reveals a shortage of stations on the Table. Likewise, several channels under "Frequency Assignment" will expire, and WEDU is not on Channel 13. You're better off using RF Channel Lists to determine which antenna types, VHF or UHF, to use. If you have any doubt, check TVFool.com (see the "Real RF Channel List," below) for a second analysis.

Finally, note that many channels, such as the ones with decimal 2's, 3's and 4's on the RF Channel List, are missing from the Table. You'll find omissions elsewhere. Cable and Satellite Services omit most of these new channels completely. You'll need an antenna to see them!

At this point you should have a pretty good idea of what sort of antennas we'll need in our Example, both by Color Code and VHF/UHF.

Tampa's HDTV Channel List from TVFool.com

Antenna Color Codes
To get Free HDTV Over-the-Air signals you need an Antenna; Color Coding Shows Reception Strength. Typically, the closer you live to signal towers, the better will be the signals you receive. Within 15 miles, an Indoor Antenna, sometimes with a pre-amplifier, may be used (in the Green and Light Green Zones).

Small Multi-Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		The smallest of TV antennas receive from all directions.
APPEARANCE		Good looking home interior designs.
USE		For use where signal strength is high and with No pre-amplifier.

Medium Multi-Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		Larger and slightly more powerful, may be placed in interior attic.
APPEARANCE		These antennas include novel stick, wing shaped or disk antennas.
USE		An amplifier is recommended for 20 feet long, or more, cables from the antenna, or when more than one TV or VCR is used by a single antenna located AWAY from reflecting structures or in valleys.

Large Multi-Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		Bigger in size, these antennas receive more signal power. Better for greater distances from signal source and areas with low signal strength. May work well in interior attic.
APPEARANCE		Styles include element antennas. These antennas can be used to reject simple ghosting.
USE		When mounted at rooftop heights (30 feet) outdoors, amplified antennas can be used in light green color code areas away from reflecting structures or low areas.

ALL OUTDOOR ANTENNAS ARE DANGEROUS AND CAN SERIOUSLY HURT YOU.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
FOR ALL ANTENNA WORK OUTSIDE YOUR HOME.
CONSUMER DATA PROVIDED HERE IS TO KEEP THEM HONEST!

Small Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		Picture quality is excellent when no signal reflecting structures are around.
APPEARANCE		Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE		Suitable for far edge of light green color code areas. Amplified antennas with rooftop mounting can be used in these areas if the area is free of signal reflecting structures and is not in a low area.

Medium Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		Most popular rooftop antenna because of its modest size.
APPEARANCE		Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE		If there are ghost producing reflective structures near TV receiver antenna location, this kind of antenna is best for yellow, green, light green and red color code areas. Amplified antennas with rooftop mounting can be used with the blue color code.

Large Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		Large antennas used in weak signal areas for maximum possible TV reception.
APPEARANCE		Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE		Can be used in any color code area, but requires an amplifier and roof mounting for blue and violet color codes.

ANTENNAS ON THIS CHART WHICH WILL WORK IN OUR EXAMPLE ARE:
A: A Small Directional UHF Antenna pointed 10° magnetic, and
B: A Large Directional UHF/VHF Antenna pointed between 92-95°
If the Stations you want to watch are within 15 miles USE Indoor Antennas

Having gone thru this Example - ENTER YOUR DC/Baltimore Address or ZIP Code

Note on Washington DC: The RF Ch. List for Washington DC indicates that only one Regional RF Ch, 12, is VHF on the new HDTV Line-Up. It needs a VHF antenna, the rest need only slender UHF antennas. Note, too, that most homes in town are within 15 miles of stations - where indoor antennas should work fine!

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