TV channels & antenna towers in DeKalb, Illinois

DeKalb is a town of about 43,200 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 38 licensed TV transmitters: 18 full-power, 7 Class A, 12 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 19 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 7 between 25 and 45 miles, and 29 farther out. Ten of the 17 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 39 (WQRF-TV), 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). 5 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around DeKalb are in different directions: ABC 93° E (57 mi), CBS 93° E (57 mi), NBC 93° E (57 mi) and Fox 319° NW (33 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Three network stations, WQRF-TV, WTVO and WSLN, transmit from the same tower site about 33 miles northwest of DeKalb (319° NW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 13 full-power and Class A network signals that reach DeKalb at fair strength or better, 69% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across one other direction.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from DeKalb, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

The farthest main network tower for DeKalb is WBBM-TV (CBS), 57 miles away with a fair 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.

With 19 stations at fair strength or better, DeKalb ranks 341st of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 33 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

18% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Aurora, 25 miles away.