TV channels & antenna towers in Carbon Cliff, Illinois
Carbon Cliff has 13 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Trinity. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KWQC-TV (NBC), 5.7 miles to the NW.
Network channels in Carbon Cliff
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 5.7 mi | 309° NW | Strong | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 5.7 mi | 309° NW | Good | Rock Island, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 12 mi | 177° S | Strong | Burlington, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 13 mi | 177° S | Strong | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 13 mi | 177° S | Strong | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 13 mi | 177° S | Good | Galesburg, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Carbon Cliff
With roughly 2,040 residents, Carbon Cliff is a small community in Illinois. Our map shows 13 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 10 full-power and 3 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.
9 of them are within 25 miles of Carbon Cliff, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 4 are more than 45 miles out. Two of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Davenport, IA, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Davenport's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 8 (WQAD-TV), CBS on channel 4 (WHBF-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 18 (KLJB), CW on channel 26 (KGCW) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 4 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 Carbon Cliff
The main network towers around Carbon Cliff are in different directions: ABC 177° S (13 mi), CBS 309° NW (5.7 mi), NBC 309° NW (5.7 mi) and Fox 177° S (13 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, KGCW, KLJB, WQAD-TV and WMWC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 12 miles south of Carbon Cliff (177° S). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Carbon Cliff at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Carbon Cliff, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Carbon Cliff
The farthest main network tower for Carbon Cliff is KLJB (Fox), 13 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
KWQC-TV is only 5.7 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 Carbon Cliff
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WQPT-TVFull power | 13 mi | 177° S | Strong | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 13 mi | 177° S | Good | Davenport, IA |
| K33QA-DLow power | 15 mi | 272° W | Fair | Davenport, IA |
| W27EJ-DLow power | 49 mi | 55° NE | Poor | Sterling, IL |
| KIINFull power | 52 mi | 288° WNW | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 52 mi | 288° WNW | Good | Iowa City, IA |
| WSIO-LDLow power | 64 mi | 144° SE | Poor | Peoria, IL |
How Carbon Cliff compares with the rest of Illinois
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Carbon Cliff ranks 565th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 5.7 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 East Moline, 2.8 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Carbon Cliff: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 177° S, the direction of KLJB (Fox), 13 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 11 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 Carbon Cliff, IL?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 13 miles S of Carbon Cliff. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Carbon Cliff, IL?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 5.7 miles NW of Carbon Cliff. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Carbon Cliff, IL?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 5.7 miles NW of Carbon Cliff. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Carbon Cliff, IL?
Fox is on channel 18 from KLJB, broadcasting from 13 miles S of Carbon Cliff. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Carbon Cliff, IL?
CW is on channel 26 from KGCW, broadcasting from 12 miles S of Carbon Cliff. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Carbon Cliff?
13 transmitters within 70 miles of Carbon Cliff; around 11 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 Carbon Cliff?
The main network towers around Carbon Cliff are in different directions: ABC 177° S (13 mi), CBS 309° NW (5.7 mi), NBC 309° NW (5.7 mi) and Fox 177° S (13 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Carbon Cliff?
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 Carbon Cliff?
KWQC-TV is only 5.7 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 Carbon Cliff?
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
- Silvis1.8 mi
- Colona2.1 mi
- East Moline2.8 mi
- Moline6.5 mi
- Rock Island9.8 mi
- Milan9.8 mi
- Geneseo13 mi
- Cambridge17 mi
- Prophetstown26 mi
- Aledo28 mi
- Kewanee30 mi
- Morrison31 mi
- Galesburg38 mi
- Sterling41 mi
- Rock Falls41 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Bettendorf, IA6.8 mi
- Davenport, IA9.9 mi
- Eldridge, IA15 mi
- Blue Grass, IA19 mi
- De Witt, IA24 mi
- Clinton, IA26 mi
- Wilton, IA33 mi
- Muscatine, IA34 mi
- Preston, IA38 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 Carbon Cliff; signal estimates ignore terrain.