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.

57TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
37 mito the closest tower
30,571population

Network channels in Algonquin

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 39 mi118° ESE GoodJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 39 mi118° ESE PoorChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 39 mi120° ESE GoodChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 39 mi120° ESE GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 39 mi120° ESE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 39 mi120° ESE WeakChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 39 mi120° ESE GoodChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 39 mi120° ESE GoodChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 39 mi120° ESE FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 39 mi120° ESE GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 39 mi120° ESE GoodChicago, IL
FOXWQRF-TVFox39 46 mi281° W FairRockford, IL
ABCWTVOABC17 46 mi281° W FairRockford, IL
TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo23 46 mi282° WNW PoorRockford, IL
CBSWIFR-LDCBS23 46 mi282° WNW PoorRockford, IL
CWWSLNCW19 46 mi282° WNW FairFreeport, IL
NBCWREXNBC13 49 mi281° W WeakRockford, IL
NBCWTMJ-TVNBC4 67 mi17° NNE WeakMilwaukee, WI
IONWPXE-TVION55 67 mi17° NNE WeakKenosha, WI
FOXWITIFox6 67 mi17° NNE WeakMilwaukee, WI
CWWVTVCW18 67 mi17° NNE WeakMilwaukee, WI
MeTVWBME-CDMeTV41.1 68 mi16° NNE PoorMilwaukee, WI
CBSWDJT-TVCBS58 68 mi16° NNE WeakMilwaukee, WI
TLMWYTU-LDTelemundo63 68 mi16° NNE PoorMilwaukee, WI
ABCWISN-TVABC12 68 mi16° NNE WeakMilwaukee, 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.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WAUR-LDLow power37 mi 203° SSWWeakAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power37 mi 203° SSWWeakEarlville, IL
WWTO-TVFull power39 mi 118° ESEFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A39 mi 118° ESEPoorChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power39 mi 118° ESEPoorChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power39 mi 118° ESEPoorChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power39 mi 118° ESEPoorArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A39 mi 118° ESEWeakSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power39 mi 118° ESEPoorChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A39 mi 118° ESEWeakChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A39 mi 118° ESEWeakPlano, IL
WTTWFull power39 mi 120° ESEGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power39 mi 120° ESEGoodGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A39 mi 120° ESEPoorArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A39 mi 120° ESEWeakChicago, IL
WJYSFull power39 mi 120° ESEFairHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power39 mi 120° ESEGoodAurora, IL
WCHU-LDLow power39 mi 119° ESEPoorOakwood Hills, IL
WDCI-LDLow power40 mi 119° ESEPoorChicago, IL
W35DY-DTranslator53 mi 304° WNWPoorStoughton, WI
WDMW-LDLow power56 mi 5° NPoorMilwaukee, WI
WTAS-LDLow power56 mi 5° NPoorWaukesha, WI
WVCY-TVFull power67 mi 17° NNEWeakMilwaukee, WI
WMKE-CDClass A67 mi 17° NNEPoorMilwaukee, WI
WMVSFull power67 mi 17° NNEPoorMilwaukee, 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

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 120° ESE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 39 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. 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.
  5. 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

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.