WAND (NBC) · Channel 17
Full power TV station · Decatur, Illinois
WAND is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with NBC on virtual channel 17, licensed to Decatur, Illinois. Its signal is estimated to reach about 143 cities and towns within 70 miles.
About WAND
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 1,000 kW effective radiated power, WAND runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 391 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 54% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 58 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 143 cities and towns in our guide with about 1,230,000 residents, as far as North Peoria, IL (66 miles).
WAND shares its transmitter site with WBUI (CW). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other NBC station in our data is KSDK in St. Louis, MO, 125 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
NBC is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local NBC affiliates carry the national morning show, evening news and primetime lineup, plus Sunday Night Football and, in Olympic years, the Games.
Station facts
| Network | NBC |
| Virtual channel | 17 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Decatur, IL |
| Tower location | 39.95239, -88.83239 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 391 m (1,281 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 70852 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WAND
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | 10 mi | 40° NE | Strong |
| Mount Zion, IL | 13 mi | 10° N | Strong |
| Monticello, IL | 15 mi | 249° WSW | Strong |
| Clinton, IL | 16 mi | 153° SSE | Strong |
| Sullivan, IL | 27 mi | 334° NNW | Good |
| Mahomet, IL | 28 mi | 234° SW | Good |
| Tuscola, IL | 31 mi | 290° WNW | Good |
| Lincoln, IL | 31 mi | 116° ESE | Good |
| Savoy, IL | 32 mi | 257° WSW | Good |
| Champaign, IL | 33 mi | 250° WSW | Good |
| Urbana, IL | 35 mi | 252° WSW | Good |
| Taylorville, IL | 37 mi | 41° NE | Good |
| Bloomington, IL | 38 mi | 167° SSE | Good |
| Shelbyville, IL | 38 mi | 357° N | Good |
| Normal, IL | 40 mi | 168° SSE | Good |
| Mattoon, IL | 41 mi | 323° NW | Good |
| Pana, IL | 41 mi | 19° NNE | Good |
| Sherman, IL | 41 mi | 84° E | Good |
| Rantoul, IL | 43 mi | 236° SW | Good |
| Springfield, IL | 44 mi | 76° ENE | Good |
| Charleston, IL | 47 mi | 312° NW | Good |
| Chatham, IL | 50 mi | 67° ENE | Good |
| Auburn, IL | 55 mi | 63° ENE | Good |
| Morton, IL | 56 mi | 144° SE | Good |
| Eureka, IL | 58 mi | 156° SSE | Good |
| Effingham, IL | 60 mi | 345° NNW | Good |
| Washington, IL | 60 mi | 150° SSE | Good |
| Pekin, IL | 60 mi | 135° SE | Good |
| Creve Coeur, IL | 62 mi | 140° SE | Fair |
| East Peoria, IL | 63 mi | 141° SE | Fair |
| Danville, IL | 65 mi | 260° W | Fair |
| Bartonville, IL | 65 mi | 138° SE | Fair |
| Paris, IL | 65 mi | 292° WNW | Fair |
| Peoria, IL | 65 mi | 142° SE | Fair |
| Pontiac, IL | 65 mi | 189° S | Fair |
| Hillsboro, IL | 65 mi | 33° NNE | Fair |
| North Peoria, IL | 66 mi | 143° SE | Fair |
| Peoria Heights, IL | 67 mi | 144° SE | Fair |
| Litchfield, IL | 69 mi | 39° NE | Fair |
| Vandalia, IL | 70 mi | 11° NNE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WAND transmitter tower?
WAND broadcasts from a tower at 39.9524, -88.8324, near Forsyth, IL. It is licensed to Decatur, Illinois.
What channel is WAND on?
WAND appears as virtual channel 17 (17.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying NBC.
How far does WAND 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 79 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WAND with an antenna?
About 1,230,000 people live in the 143 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WAND?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WAND tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.