WMEC
Full power TV station · Macomb, Illinois
WMEC is a full power over-the-air TV station, licensed to Macomb, Illinois. Its signal is estimated to reach about 29 cities and towns within 44 miles.
About WMEC
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 100 kW effective radiated power, WMEC runs more power than 38% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 129 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 3% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 37 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 44 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 29 cities and towns in our guide with about 168,000 residents, as far as Galesburg, IL (42 miles).
Station facts
| Network | Independent / not listed |
| Virtual channel | Not listed |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Macomb, IL |
| Tower location | 40.39833, -90.73194 |
| Effective radiated power | 100 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 129 m (424 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 70537 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WMEC
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colchester, IL | 3.7 mi | 121° ESE | Strong |
| Macomb, IL | 5.3 mi | 217° SW | Strong |
| Bushnell, IL | 16 mi | 228° SW | Good |
| La Harpe, IL | 18 mi | 136° SE | Good |
| Rushville, IL | 21 mi | 335° NNW | Good |
| Carthage, IL | 21 mi | 93° E | Good |
| Astoria, IL | 23 mi | 301° WNW | Good |
| Mount Sterling, IL | 28 mi | 3° N | Good |
| Cuba, IL | 29 mi | 257° WSW | Good |
| Lewistown, IL | 30 mi | 271° W | Good |
| Camp Point, IL | 31 mi | 36° NE | Good |
| Beardstown, IL | 31 mi | 328° NNW | Good |
| Hamilton, IL | 32 mi | 90° E | Good |
| Abingdon, IL | 33 mi | 212° SSW | Fair |
| Keokuk, IA | 34 mi | 90° E | Fair |
| Fort Madison, IA | 35 mi | 117° ESE | Fair |
| Burlington, IA | 35 mi | 145° SE | Fair |
| Monmouth, IL | 36 mi | 187° S | Fair |
| Nauvoo, IL | 36 mi | 107° ESE | Fair |
| Havana, IL | 36 mi | 281° W | Fair |
| West Burlington, IA | 37 mi | 143° SE | Fair |
| Warsaw, IL | 37 mi | 86° E | Fair |
| Canton, IL | 38 mi | 253° WSW | Fair |
| Oquawka, IL | 39 mi | 163° SSE | Fair |
| Meredosia, IL | 40 mi | 347° NNW | Fair |
| Virginia, IL | 41 mi | 319° NW | Fair |
| Knoxville, IL | 42 mi | 214° SW | Fair |
| Galesburg, IL | 42 mi | 207° SSW | Fair |
| Farmington, IL | 43 mi | 242° WSW | Fair |
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WMEC transmitter tower?
WMEC broadcasts from a tower at 40.3983, -90.7319, near Colchester, IL. It is licensed to Macomb, Illinois.
How far does WMEC broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 44 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 52 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WMEC with an antenna?
About 168,000 people live in the 29 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WMEC?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WMEC tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.