RCA Signal Finder

TV channels & antenna towers in Belmont Cragin, Illinois

Belmont Cragin has 33 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 29 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WTTW, 7.7 miles to the ESE.

Open Belmont Cragin in the live finder
33TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
7.7 mito the closest tower
79,159population

Network channels in Belmont Cragin

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 7.7 mi118° ESE StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 7.7 mi118° ESE StrongChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 7.7 mi118° ESE StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 7.7 mi118° ESE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 7.7 mi118° ESE StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 7.7 mi118° ESE StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 7.8 mi118° ESE GoodChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 7.8 mi118° ESE StrongChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 7.8 mi118° ESE StrongChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 7.8 mi107° ESE StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 7.8 mi107° ESE FairChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Belmont Cragin

Belmont Cragin, Illinois has a population of about 79,200. Our map shows 33 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 15 full-power, 7 Class A and 11 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 29 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 23 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 28 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 3 farther out. Ten of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Chicago, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Chicago's stations.

The best-placed network stations 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 (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 6 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 Belmont Cragin

Point your antenna ESE, at about 118°. The main network towers for Belmont Cragin sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV, WWME-CD and WCIU-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 7.7 miles southeast of Belmont Cragin (118° ESE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Belmont Cragin at fair strength or better, 90% 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 Belmont Cragin, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Belmont Cragin

The farthest main network tower for Belmont Cragin is WBBM-TV (CBS), 7.8 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

WTTW is only 7.7 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.

Other stations near Belmont Cragin

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WTTWFull power7.7 mi 118° ESEStrongChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power7.7 mi 118° ESEStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A7.7 mi 118° ESEFairArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A7.7 mi 118° ESEGoodChicago, IL
WJYSFull power7.8 mi 118° ESEStrongHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power7.8 mi 118° ESEStrongAurora, IL
WWTO-TVFull power7.8 mi 107° ESEGoodNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A7.8 mi 107° ESEFairChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power7.8 mi 107° ESEGoodChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power7.8 mi 107° ESEGoodChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power7.8 mi 107° ESEFairArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A7.8 mi 107° ESEGoodSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power7.8 mi 107° ESEFairChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A7.8 mi 107° ESEGoodChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A7.8 mi 107° ESEGoodPlano, IL
WCHU-LDLow power7.9 mi 112° ESEFairOakwood Hills, IL
WDCI-LDLow power8.2 mi 113° ESEGoodChicago, IL
WODN-LDLow power37 mi 125° SEPoorPortage, IN
WYINFull power45 mi 155° SSEGoodGary, IN
WAUR-LDLow power45 mi 246° WSWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power45 mi 246° WSWPoorEarlville, IL
WAAA-LDLow power48 mi 126° SEPoorValparaiso, IN

How Belmont Cragin compares with the rest of Illinois

With 29 stations at fair strength or better, Belmont Cragin ranks 17th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 7.7 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

28% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Chicago, 8.3 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Belmont Cragin: step by step

  1. Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
  2. Point it toward 118° ESE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 7.8 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 29 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 Belmont Cragin, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 7.8 miles ESE of Belmont Cragin. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Belmont Cragin, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 7.8 miles ESE of Belmont Cragin. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Belmont Cragin, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 7.7 miles ESE of Belmont Cragin. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Belmont Cragin, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 7.7 miles ESE of Belmont Cragin. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Belmont Cragin, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 7.7 miles ESE of Belmont Cragin. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Belmont Cragin?

33 transmitters within 70 miles of Belmont Cragin; around 29 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Belmont Cragin?

Point your antenna ESE, at about 118°. The main network towers for Belmont Cragin sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Belmont Cragin?

Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Belmont Cragin?

WTTW is only 7.7 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Belmont Cragin?

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 Belmont Cragin; signal estimates ignore terrain.