- Most L.A. TV stations transmit from Mount Wilson and nearby peaks.
- Hills between you and the transmitters matter more than distance.
- Check VHF reception for ABC7, KCAL, FOX 11 and KCOP.
Ask antenna users across Los Angeles about reception and you will hear two stories. In much of the basin, a cheap antenna in a window pulls in dozens of stations. In parts of the San Fernando Valley, the foothills and the canyons, people struggle with the same antenna. The difference is almost always terrain.
Where the signals come from
NBC4 and ABC7, reporting during the 2009 Station Fire, said nearly all of the 22 Los Angeles TV stations transmit from Mount Wilson and nearby mountaintop sites, including Mount Lukens. Those peaks sit in the San Gabriel Mountains along the northeast side of the basin. A home with a clear view toward them usually has easy reception. A home tucked behind the Santa Monica Mountains, the Verdugo Hills or a canyon wall may not.
Why the Valley can be tricky
- Hills and ridges between your home and the transmitter peaks can block or weaken signals.
- Signals can bounce off hills and buildings, arriving at slightly different times and confusing a tuner.
- Homes at the bottom of a canyon may be in a signal shadow even if the next street up is fine.
- Distance matters less than what is in the way.
That is why two neighbors a few blocks apart can get very different results, and why an antenna that earned great reviews in one part of town can disappoint in another.
Fixes, from easiest to hardest
| Try | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Move the antenna to the highest window facing the transmitter peaks | Height and a clearer path matter most |
| Try every window, even ones that face the wrong way | In hilly areas the strongest signal may be a reflection |
| Use an antenna rated for VHF and UHF | ABC7, KCAL, FOX 11 and KCOP are on VHF channels |
| Move to the attic | Gets the antenna higher without roof work |
| Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof | The biggest improvement, with safety rules to follow |
Tip: Run a scan after every change and write down what you get. In hilly areas, a few feet can change the result, and you will want to remember which position worked best.
The VHF stations
According to the FCC’s public files, KABC-TV (ABC7) uses RF channel 7, KCAL-TV channel 9, KTTV (FOX 11) channel 11, KDOC-TV channel 12 and KCOP-TV channel 13. VHF signals behave differently from UHF and need larger antenna elements to receive well. If you get most stations but not these, a VHF-capable antenna is often the answer. Our full guide is The Best TV Antenna for Los Angeles: VHF, Mount Wilson and Placement.
Rooftop antennas in the Valley
An outdoor antenna on the roof, aimed at the transmitter peaks, is usually the best fix in difficult areas. The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s advice applies: keep the antenna and mast well away from power lines, at least 1 1/2 times their height, never assume a line is insulated and ground the mast according to electrical codes. If power lines run near the only good spot, hire a professional installer.
Your right to install one
The FCC’s OTARD rule, 47 CFR 1.4000, protects your right to install a TV antenna and its mast on property within your exclusive use or control, including many rented homes and condos where you control the space. Associations and landlords cannot impose restrictions that unreasonably delay, prevent or increase the cost of installation, or that prevent an acceptable signal, though safety and historic-preservation exceptions apply.
When to stream instead
If you have tried a good outdoor antenna and still miss a station, the terrain may simply win. Most L.A. stations offer free news streams; How to Watch Los Angeles Local News Without Cable explains how. For what you should be able to receive, see Los Angeles TV Channels: Every Free Over-the-Air Station.
FM radio in the Valley
The same peaks host many FM transmitters; ABC7 and NBC4 reported in 2009 that more than two-thirds of the region’s FM stations broadcast from Mount Wilson and nearby sites. If FM reception is poor in your part of the Valley, moving the radio to a window facing the mountains is the first fix to try. The station list is in Los Angeles Radio Stations by Frequency: FM and AM Dial Guide.
Ask a neighbor
In hilly areas, the best information often comes from next door. If a neighbor has an antenna that works, ask which stations they receive and which way it points. Their results are a better guide to your own than any general map.
And keep expectations realistic. In some canyon homes, a station that is perfect at the top of the street may never come in at the bottom, no matter what antenna you use. When that happens, the station’s free stream is the practical answer.