KQME (MeTV) · Channel 5.1
Full power TV station · Lead, South Dakota
KQME is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with MeTV on virtual channel 5.1, licensed to Lead, South Dakota. Its signal is estimated to reach about 18 cities and towns within 70 miles.
About KQME
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 34.8 kW effective radiated power, KQME runs more power than 21% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW). Stations on VHF channels are licensed at much lower power than UHF stations to cover the same area, so a low figure does not always mean a weak signal.
Its antenna sits 576 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 82% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 69 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 70 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 18 cities and towns in our guide with about 141,000 residents, as far as Rapid City, SD (35 miles).
KQME shares its transmitter site with K29OF-D, K31QA-D, KIVV-TV and K35MW-D. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other MeTV station in our data is KHME in Rapid City, SD, 34 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
MeTV (Memorable Entertainment Television) is a free over-the-air network of classic TV series from the 1950s through the 1990s. It is often carried on a subchannel of a local station.
Station facts
| Network | MeTV |
| Virtual channel | 5.1 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Lead, SD |
| Tower location | 44.32667, -103.83722 |
| Effective radiated power | 34.8 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 576 m (1,890 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 17686 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive KQME
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead, SD | 4.0 mi | 244° WSW | Strong |
| Deadwood, SD | 6.3 mi | 237° WSW | Good |
| Spearfish, SD | 11 mi | 174° S | Good |
| North Spearfish, SD | 13 mi | 168° SSE | Good |
| Sturgis, SD | 17 mi | 251° WSW | Good |
| Belle Fourche, SD | 24 mi | 178° S | Fair |
| Summerset, SD | 26 mi | 291° WNW | Fair |
| Sundance, WY | 27 mi | 102° ESE | Fair |
| Blackhawk, SD | 29 mi | 295° WNW | Fair |
| Colonial Pine Hills, SD | 34 mi | 311° NW | Fair |
| Rapid City, SD | 35 mi | 300° WNW | Fair |
| Newcastle, WY | 37 mi | 29° NNE | Fair |
| Rapid Valley, SD | 39 mi | 298° WNW | Fair |
| Custer, SD | 40 mi | 343° NNW | Fair |
| Box Elder, SD | 41 mi | 292° WNW | Fair |
| Upton, WY | 42 mi | 68° ENE | Fair |
| Moorcroft, WY | 55 mi | 85° E | Fair |
| Hot Springs, SD | 64 mi | 344° NNW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the KQME transmitter tower?
KQME broadcasts from a tower at 44.3267, -103.8372, near Lead, SD. It is licensed to Lead, South Dakota.
What channel is KQME on?
KQME appears as virtual channel 5.1 (5.1.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying MeTV.
How far does KQME broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 70 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 78 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch KQME with an antenna?
About 141,000 people live in the 18 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for KQME?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the KQME tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.