KSFL-TV (ION) · Channel 36

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 36.9 kW effective radiated power, KSFL-TV runs more power than 22% 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 230 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 14% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 46 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.

We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 50 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 33 cities and towns in our guide with about 283,000 residents, as far as Sioux Falls, SD (7.2 miles).

KSFL-TV shares its transmitter site with KTTW. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.

The nearest other ION station in our data is KFPX-TV in Newton, IA, 190 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.

ION Television is a commercial network built around crime and procedural drama series, with some live sports. It is carried free over the air in most large markets.