TV channels & antenna towers in Algonquin, Illinois
Algonquin has 57 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 17 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WAUR-LD, 37 miles to the SSW.
Network channels in Algonquin
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIWGBO-DTUnivision | 66 | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Good | Joliet, IL |
| IONKPDS-LDION | 49.4 | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| FOXWFLDFox | 32 | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| NBCWMAQ-TVNBC | 5 | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo | 44 | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| MeTVWWME-CDMeTV | 23.1 | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV | 26.3 | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| CWWGN-TVCW | 9 | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| CBSWBBM-TVCBS | 2 | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| IONWCPX-TVION | 38 | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| ABCWLS-TVABC | 7 | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| FOXWQRF-TVFox | 39 | 46 mi | 281° W | Fair | Rockford, IL |
| ABCWTVOABC | 17 | 46 mi | 281° W | Fair | Rockford, IL |
| TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo | 23 | 46 mi | 282° WNW | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CBSWIFR-LDCBS | 23 | 46 mi | 282° WNW | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CWWSLNCW | 19 | 46 mi | 282° WNW | Fair | Freeport, IL |
| NBCWREXNBC | 13 | 49 mi | 281° W | Weak | Rockford, IL |
| NBCWTMJ-TVNBC | 4 | 67 mi | 17° NNE | Weak | Milwaukee, WI |
| IONWPXE-TVION | 55 | 67 mi | 17° NNE | Weak | Kenosha, WI |
| FOXWITIFox | 6 | 67 mi | 17° NNE | Weak | Milwaukee, WI |
| CWWVTVCW | 18 | 67 mi | 17° NNE | Weak | Milwaukee, WI |
| MeTVWBME-CDMeTV | 41.1 | 68 mi | 16° NNE | Poor | Milwaukee, WI |
| CBSWDJT-TVCBS | 58 | 68 mi | 16° NNE | Weak | Milwaukee, WI |
| TLMWYTU-LDTelemundo | 63 | 68 mi | 16° NNE | Poor | Milwaukee, WI |
| ABCWISN-TVABC | 12 | 68 mi | 16° NNE | Weak | Milwaukee, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Algonquin
With roughly 30,600 residents, Algonquin is a city in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 57 licensed TV transmitters: 29 full-power, 9 Class A, 18 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 17 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 11 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 30 between 25 and 45 miles, and 27 farther out. Ten of the 25 network stations in range are licensed to Chicago, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Chicago's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 7 (WLS-TV), CBS on channel 2 (WBBM-TV), NBC on channel 5 (WMAQ-TV), Fox on channel 32 (WFLD), CW on channel 9 (WGN-TV), ION on channel 38 (WCPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 44 (WSNS-TV), Univision on channel 66 (WGBO-DT) and MeTV on channel 26.3 (WCIU-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (good signal). 10 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.
Which way to point your antenna in Algonquin
Point your antenna ESE, at about 120°. The main network towers for Algonquin sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Ten network stations, WGBO-DT, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV and WWME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 39 miles southeast of Algonquin (118° ESE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 12 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Algonquin at fair strength or better, 75% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Algonquin, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Algonquin
The farthest main network tower for Algonquin is WBBM-TV (CBS), 39 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Algonquin
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAUR-LDLow power | 37 mi | 203° SSW | Weak | Aurora, IL |
| WSPY-LDLow power | 37 mi | 203° SSW | Weak | Earlville, IL |
| WWTO-TVFull power | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Fair | Naperville, IL |
| WOCK-CDClass A | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| W31EZ-DLow power | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| WESV-LDLow power | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| WRJK-LDLow power | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Poor | Arlington Heights, IL |
| W27EB-DClass A | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Weak | Sugar Grove, IL |
| WRME-LDLow power | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| WPVN-CDClass A | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WLPD-CDClass A | 39 mi | 118° ESE | Weak | Plano, IL |
| WTTWFull power | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| WPWR-TVFull power | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Good | Gary, IN |
| WEDE-CDClass A | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Poor | Arlington Heights, IL |
| WMEU-CDClass A | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WJYSFull power | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Fair | Hammond, IN |
| WXFT-DTFull power | 39 mi | 120° ESE | Good | Aurora, IL |
| WCHU-LDLow power | 39 mi | 119° ESE | Poor | Oakwood Hills, IL |
| WDCI-LDLow power | 40 mi | 119° ESE | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| W35DY-DTranslator | 53 mi | 304° WNW | Poor | Stoughton, WI |
| WDMW-LDLow power | 56 mi | 5° N | Poor | Milwaukee, WI |
| WTAS-LDLow power | 56 mi | 5° N | Poor | Waukesha, WI |
| WVCY-TVFull power | 67 mi | 17° NNE | Weak | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMKE-CDClass A | 67 mi | 17° NNE | Poor | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMVSFull power | 67 mi | 17° NNE | Poor | Milwaukee, WI |
How Algonquin compares with the rest of Illinois
With 17 stations at fair strength or better, Algonquin ranks 366th of 766 places in Illinois: the same as the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 39 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.
54% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Elgin, 8.9 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Algonquin: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 120° ESE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 39 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 17 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 Algonquin, IL?
ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 39 miles ESE of Algonquin. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Algonquin, IL?
CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 39 miles ESE of Algonquin. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Algonquin, IL?
NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 39 miles ESE of Algonquin. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Algonquin, IL?
Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 39 miles ESE of Algonquin. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Algonquin, IL?
CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 39 miles ESE of Algonquin. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Algonquin?
57 transmitters within 70 miles of Algonquin; around 17 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 Algonquin?
Point your antenna ESE, at about 120°. The main network towers for Algonquin sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Algonquin?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Algonquin?
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Algonquin?
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 Illinois cities
- Lake in the Hills2.2 mi
- Carpentersville3.6 mi
- Cary4.3 mi
- West Dundee4.7 mi
- Crystal Lake5.3 mi
- Gilberts5.9 mi
- Huntley6.9 mi
- Barrington8.1 mi
- Elgin8.9 mi
- Pingree Grove9.1 mi
- Island Lake9.3 mi
- Wauconda10 mi
- Lake Zurich11 mi
- Inverness11 mi
- Streamwood11 mi
- McHenry12 mi
- South Elgin12 mi
- Lakemoor12 mi
- Fairfield12 mi
- Hampshire13 mi
- Woodstock13 mi
- Hawthorn Woods13 mi
- Bartlett13 mi
- Hanover Park14 mi
More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Algonquin; signal estimates ignore terrain.