KCKA
Full power TV station · Centralia, Washington
KCKA is a full power over-the-air TV station, licensed to Centralia, Washington. Its signal is estimated to reach about 114 cities and towns within 62 miles.
About KCKA
Full-power stations are the main licensed broadcasters in a market. They may run the highest power from the tallest towers and are protected from interference, so they set the core of what you can receive.
At 187 kW effective radiated power, KCKA runs more power than 45% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 347 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 45% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 55 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 62 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 114 cities and towns in our guide with about 1,200,000 residents, as far as Puyallup, WA (57 miles).
KCKA shares its transmitter site with K17NX-D and K15MI-D. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
Station facts
| Network | Independent / not listed |
| Virtual channel | Not listed |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Centralia, WA |
| Tower location | 46.55417, -123.05833 |
| Effective radiated power | 187 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 347 m (1,139 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 62468 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive KCKA
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia, WA | 12 mi | 204° SSW | Good |
| Kelso, WA | 29 mi | 346° NNW | Good |
| Longview, WA | 29 mi | 349° N | Good |
| Tumwater, WA | 32 mi | 193° SSW | Good |
| Olympia, WA | 34 mi | 193° SSW | Good |
| Yelm, WA | 34 mi | 219° SW | Good |
| Lacey, WA | 35 mi | 199° SSW | Good |
| DuPont, WA | 43 mi | 208° SSW | Good |
| Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA | 45 mi | 211° SSW | Good |
| Astoria, OR | 45 mi | 55° NE | Good |
| Shelton, WA | 46 mi | 177° S | Fair |
| Aberdeen, WA | 46 mi | 129° SE | Fair |
| Elk Plain, WA | 47 mi | 222° SW | Fair |
| Spanaway, WA | 48 mi | 218° SW | Fair |
| Hoquiam, WA | 49 mi | 127° SE | Fair |
| Saint Helens, OR | 49 mi | 346° NNW | Fair |
| Lakewood, WA | 50 mi | 211° SSW | Fair |
| Graham, WA | 50 mi | 227° SW | Fair |
| Frederickson, WA | 50 mi | 222° SW | Fair |
| Parkland, WA | 51 mi | 216° SW | Fair |
| Midland, WA | 52 mi | 216° SW | Fair |
| University Place, WA | 53 mi | 207° SSW | Fair |
| Summit, WA | 53 mi | 219° SW | Fair |
| South Hill, WA | 55 mi | 223° SW | Fair |
| Orting, WA | 55 mi | 227° SW | Fair |
| Waller, WA | 55 mi | 216° SW | Fair |
| Artondale, WA | 55 mi | 202° SSW | Fair |
| Tacoma, WA | 56 mi | 211° SSW | Fair |
| Puyallup, WA | 57 mi | 220° SW | Fair |
| Fife, WA | 58 mi | 215° SW | Fair |
| Gig Harbor, WA | 58 mi | 203° SSW | Fair |
| Prairie Ridge, WA | 59 mi | 227° SW | Fair |
| Battle Ground, WA | 59 mi | 335° NNW | Fair |
| Sumner, WA | 59 mi | 221° SW | Fair |
| Milton, WA | 59 mi | 217° SW | Fair |
| Bonney Lake, WA | 60 mi | 224° SW | Fair |
| Edgewood, WA | 60 mi | 217° SW | Fair |
| Mount Vista, WA | 60 mi | 340° NNW | Fair |
| Salmon Creek, WA | 61 mi | 342° NNW | Fair |
| Lakeland South, WA | 62 mi | 216° SW | Fair |
Frequently asked questions
Where is the KCKA transmitter tower?
KCKA broadcasts from a tower at 46.5542, -123.0583, near Winlock, WA. It is licensed to Centralia, Washington.
How far does KCKA broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 62 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 71 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch KCKA with an antenna?
About 1,200,000 people live in the 114 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for KCKA?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the KCKA tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.