TV channels & antenna towers in Dixon, Illinois
Dixon has 19 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W27EJ-D, 7.7 miles to the WNW.
Network channels in Dixon
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWREXNBC | 13 | 34 mi | 21° NNE | Fair | Rockford, IL |
| FOXWQRF-TVFox | 39 | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Good | Rockford, IL |
| ABCWTVOABC | 17 | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Good | Rockford, IL |
| TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo | 23 | 35 mi | 26° NNE | Weak | Rockford, IL |
| CBSWIFR-LDCBS | 23 | 35 mi | 26° NNE | Weak | Rockford, IL |
| CWWSLNCW | 19 | 35 mi | 26° NNE | Fair | Freeport, IL |
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 55 mi | 249° WSW | Good | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 55 mi | 249° WSW | Fair | Rock Island, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 58 mi | 233° SW | Fair | Burlington, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 59 mi | 232° SW | Fair | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 59 mi | 232° SW | Fair | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 59 mi | 232° SW | Weak | Galesburg, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Dixon
Dixon, Illinois has a population of about 15,300. There are 19 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 12 full-power, 6 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.
1 of them is within 25 miles of Dixon, 6 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 12 are more than 45 miles out. Five of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Rockford, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rockford's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 17 (WTVO), CBS on channel 4 (WHBF-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 39 (WQRF-TV), CW on channel 26 (KGCW), Telemundo on channel 23 (WFBN-LD) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (weak signal). 2 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 Dixon
Point your antenna NNE, at about 27°. The main network towers for Dixon sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WQRF-TV, WTVO and WSLN, transmit from the same tower site about 35 miles northeast of Dixon (27° NNE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Dixon at fair strength or better, 33% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across three other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Dixon, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Dixon
The farthest main network tower for Dixon is WQRF-TV (Fox), 35 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
WHBF-TV (CBS), 55 miles west and KWQC-TV (NBC), 55 miles west, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for those.
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 Dixon
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W27EJ-DLow power | 7.7 mi | 302° WNW | Good | Sterling, IL |
| WAUR-LDLow power | 48 mi | 104° ESE | Poor | Aurora, IL |
| WSPY-LDLow power | 48 mi | 104° ESE | Poor | Earlville, IL |
| W35DY-DTranslator | 54 mi | 17° NNE | Poor | Stoughton, WI |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 59 mi | 232° SW | Fair | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 59 mi | 232° SW | Weak | Davenport, IA |
| K33QA-DLow power | 66 mi | 250° WSW | Poor | Davenport, IA |
How Dixon compares with the rest of Illinois
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Dixon ranks 565th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 34 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 Rockford, 36 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Dixon: 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 27° NNE, the direction of WQRF-TV (Fox), 35 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 Dixon, IL?
ABC is on channel 17 from WTVO, broadcasting from 35 miles NNE of Dixon. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Dixon, IL?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 55 miles WSW of Dixon. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Dixon, IL?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 55 miles WSW of Dixon. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Dixon, IL?
Fox is on channel 39 from WQRF-TV, broadcasting from 35 miles NNE of Dixon. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Dixon, IL?
CW is on channel 26 from KGCW, broadcasting from 58 miles SW of Dixon. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Dixon?
19 transmitters within 70 miles of Dixon; around 11 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 Dixon?
Point your antenna NNE, at about 27°. The main network towers for Dixon sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Dixon?
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. Picking up CBS and NBC from up to 55 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Dixon?
WHBF-TV (CBS), 55 miles west and KWQC-TV (NBC), 55 miles west, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for those.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Dixon?
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
- Rock Falls12 mi
- Amboy12 mi
- Sterling12 mi
- Walnut20 mi
- Rochelle22 mi
- Byron23 mi
- Morrison25 mi
- Prophetstown26 mi
- Georgetown27 mi
- Mendota27 mi
- Freeport32 mi
- Princeton33 mi
- Earlville34 mi
- Rockford36 mi
- DeKalb38 mi
- Spring Valley38 mi
- Savanna39 mi
- Loves Park40 mi
- Peru40 mi
- La Salle40 mi
- Lena41 mi
- Machesney Park42 mi
- Sycamore42 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Dixon; signal estimates ignore terrain.