TV channels & antenna towers in China Lake Acres, California
China Lake Acres has 39 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, Fox, CW, ION, Univision and MeTV. About 9 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K31MB-D, 5.3 miles to the ESE.
Network channels in China Lake Acres
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXKBAK-TVFox | 58.2 | 48 mi | 255° WSW | Fair | Bakersfield, CA |
| FOXKBFX-CDFox | 58 | 48 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
| ABCKERO-TVABC | 23 | 48 mi | 255° WSW | Weak | Bakersfield, CA |
| CWKGET-TVCW | 17.2 | 57 mi | 256° WSW | Fair | Bakersfield, CA |
| UNIKABE-CDUnivision | 39 | 57 mi | 256° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
| MeTVKCBT-LDMeTV | 34.2 | 57 mi | 256° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
| IONKXBF-LDION | 14.6 | 67 mi | 253° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
Over-the-air TV in China Lake Acres
China Lake Acres is a small community of about 1,880 people in California. There are 39 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 4 full-power, 5 Class A, 13 low-power and 17 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 1 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 17 transmitters are within 25 miles, 0 between 25 and 45 miles, and 22 farther out. Seven of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Bakersfield, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Bakersfield's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 23 (KERO-TV), Fox on channel 58.2 (KBAK-TV), CW on channel 17.2 (KGET-TV), ION on channel 14.6 (KXBF-LD), Univision on channel 39 (KABE-CD) and MeTV on channel 34.2 (KCBT-LD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KCBS-TV in Los Angeles, CA, 99 miles to the south. No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KNBC in Los Angeles, CA, 99 miles to the south. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Univision (very weak signal). 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.
Which way to point your antenna in China Lake Acres
Point your antenna WSW, at about 255°. The main network towers for China Lake Acres sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, KBAK-TV, KBFX-CD and KERO-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 48 miles west of China Lake Acres (255° WSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from China Lake Acres, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for China Lake Acres
The farthest main network tower for China Lake Acres is KERO-TV (ABC), 48 miles away with a weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near China Lake Acres
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 32; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K31MB-DTranslator | 5.3 mi | 105° ESE | Weak | Ridgecrest, CA |
| KZGN-LDLow power | 5.5 mi | 107° ESE | Weak | Ridgecrest, CA |
| K33ID-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Weak | Ridgecrest, CA |
| K14AT-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Weak | Ridgecrest, CA |
| K15HJ-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Fair | Ridgecrest, Etc., CA |
| K17HY-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Fair | Ridgecrest, Etc., CA |
| K21IN-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Fair | Ridgecrest, Etc., CA |
| K23IS-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Fair | Ridgecrest, Etc., CA |
| K16JW-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Fair | Ridgecrest, CA |
| K20LH-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Fair | Ridgecrest, CA |
| K22NA-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Weak | Inyokern, Etc, CA |
| K32NA-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Weak | Ridgecrest, CA |
| K30QC-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Weak | Ridgecrest, CA |
| K27NX-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Weak | Ridgecrest, CA |
| K24ON-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Weak | Ridgecrest, CA |
| K25PL-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Weak | Ridgecrest, CA |
| K19IS-DTranslator | 12 mi | 158° SSE | Weak | Inyokern, CA |
| KBBV-CDClass A | 48 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
| KZKC-LDLow power | 48 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
| KEBK-LDLow power | 48 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
| KDBK-LDLow power | 48 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
| K04SB-DTranslator | 57 mi | 256° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
| K21PL-DLow power | 57 mi | 256° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
| KKEY-LPLow power | 57 mi | 256° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
| K08MM-DClass A | 57 mi | 256° WSW | Poor | Bakersfield, CA |
How China Lake Acres compares with the rest of California
With 9 stations at fair strength or better, China Lake Acres ranks 959th of 1,078 places in California: fewer than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 48 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.
30% of California's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Ridgecrest, 5.4 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in China Lake Acres: step by step
- Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
- Point it toward 255° WSW, the direction of KERO-TV (ABC), 48 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
- Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
- Expect around 9 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
- Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is ABC in China Lake Acres, CA?
ABC is on channel 23 from KERO-TV, broadcasting from 48 miles WSW of China Lake Acres. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is Fox in China Lake Acres, CA?
Fox is on channel 58.2 from KBAK-TV, broadcasting from 48 miles WSW of China Lake Acres. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in China Lake Acres, CA?
CW is on channel 17.2 from KGET-TV, broadcasting from 57 miles WSW of China Lake Acres. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Univision in China Lake Acres, CA?
Univision is on channel 39 from KABE-CD, broadcasting from 57 miles WSW of China Lake Acres. Estimated signal: very weak.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in China Lake Acres?
39 transmitters within 70 miles of China Lake Acres; around 9 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional antenna. Each station usually carries several subchannels, so the total channel count after a scan is higher.
Which direction should I point my TV antenna in China Lake Acres?
Point your antenna WSW, at about 255°. The main network towers for China Lake Acres sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in China Lake Acres?
Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in China Lake Acres?
At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in China Lake Acres?
Yes. The free RCA Signal Finder app for iPhone and Android uses your phone's GPS and compass to show which way each tower is from where you stand.
TV channels in nearby California cities
- Inyokern2.8 mi
- Ridgecrest5.4 mi
- Searles Valley22 mi
- Weldon30 mi
- California City38 mi
- Kernville38 mi
- Wofford Heights39 mi
- Lake Isabella40 mi
- Bodfish41 mi
- North Edwards43 mi
- Boron45 mi
- Alta Sierra45 mi
- Mojave47 mi
More: all TV stations in California · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of China Lake Acres; signal estimates ignore terrain.