KDMI
Full power TV station · Des Moines, Iowa
KDMI is a full power over-the-air TV station, licensed to Des Moines, Iowa. Its signal is estimated to reach about 110 cities and towns within 81 miles.
About KDMI
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 839 kW effective radiated power, KDMI runs more power than 75% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 610 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 88% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 71 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 81 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 110 cities and towns in our guide with about 1,020,000 residents, as far as Waterloo, IA (80 miles).
KDMI shares its transmitter site with KDIT-CD, KCWI-TV (CW) and KDSM-TV (Fox). 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 | Des Moines, IA |
| Tower location | 41.83000, -93.61517 |
| Effective radiated power | 839 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 610 m (2,001 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 78915 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive KDMI
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk City, IA | 6.5 mi | 51° NE | Strong |
| Ankeny, IA | 6.9 mi | 356° N | Strong |
| Johnston, IA | 12 mi | 21° NNE | Strong |
| Bondurant, IA | 12 mi | 319° NW | Strong |
| Grimes, IA | 13 mi | 43° NE | Strong |
| Ames, IA | 14 mi | 179° S | Strong |
| Urbandale, IA | 15 mi | 20° NNE | Strong |
| Altoona, IA | 15 mi | 329° NNW | Strong |
| Nevada, IA | 16 mi | 212° SSW | Strong |
| Des Moines, IA | 16 mi | 359° N | Strong |
| Clive, IA | 17 mi | 20° NNE | Strong |
| Windsor Heights, IA | 17 mi | 17° NNE | Strong |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 18 mi | 344° NNW | Strong |
| West Des Moines, IA | 18 mi | 16° NNE | Strong |
| Waukee, IA | 21 mi | 43° NE | Strong |
| Boone, IA | 21 mi | 139° SE | Strong |
| Centerville, IA | 25 mi | 138° SE | Good |
| Norwalk, IA | 25 mi | 8° N | Good |
| Perry, IA | 25 mi | 91° E | Good |
| Adel, IA | 26 mi | 54° NE | Good |
| Newton, IA | 31 mi | 287° WNW | Good |
| Indianola, IA | 33 mi | 355° N | Good |
| Marshalltown, IA | 39 mi | 248° WSW | Good |
| Winterset, IA | 40 mi | 31° NNE | Good |
| Knoxville, IA | 44 mi | 324° NW | Good |
| Webster City, IA | 45 mi | 167° SSE | Good |
| Grinnell, IA | 46 mi | 278° W | Good |
| Pella, IA | 46 mi | 309° NW | Good |
| Iowa Falls, IA | 51 mi | 201° SSW | Good |
| Fort Dodge, IA | 54 mi | 148° SSE | Good |
| Osceola, IA | 56 mi | 8° N | Good |
| Chariton, IA | 59 mi | 344° NNW | Good |
| Oskaloosa, IA | 62 mi | 307° NW | Good |
| Creston, IA | 66 mi | 36° NE | Good |
| Carroll, IA | 66 mi | 104° ESE | Good |
| Hampton, IA | 66 mi | 199° SSW | Good |
| Humboldt, IA | 69 mi | 153° SSE | Good |
| Cedar Falls, IA | 77 mi | 232° SW | Fair |
| Atlantic, IA | 78 mi | 67° ENE | Fair |
| Waterloo, IA | 80 mi | 235° SW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the KDMI transmitter tower?
KDMI broadcasts from a tower at 41.8300, -93.6152, near Huxley, IA. It is licensed to Des Moines, Iowa.
How far does KDMI broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 81 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 90 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch KDMI with an antenna?
About 1,020,000 people live in the 110 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for KDMI?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the KDMI tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.