TV channels & antenna towers in East Moline, Illinois
East Moline 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), 3.6 miles to the NNW.
Network channels in East Moline
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 3.6 mi | 332° NNW | Strong | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 3.6 mi | 332° NNW | Strong | Rock Island, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 12 mi | 164° SSE | Strong | Burlington, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 13 mi | 166° SSE | Strong | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 13 mi | 166° SSE | Strong | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 13 mi | 166° SSE | Good | Galesburg, IL |
Over-the-air TV in East Moline
East Moline is a city of about 21,400 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 13 licensed TV transmitters: 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 10 at good or strong strength.
9 of them are within 25 miles of East Moline, 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 strongest network signals here 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 East Moline
The main network towers around East Moline are in different directions: ABC 166° SSE (13 mi), CBS 332° NNW (3.6 mi), NBC 332° NNW (3.6 mi) and Fox 166° SSE (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 East Moline (164° SSE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach East Moline 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 East Moline, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for East Moline
The farthest main network tower for East Moline is KLJB (Fox), 13 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
KWQC-TV is only 3.6 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 East Moline
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K33QA-DLow power | 12 mi | 270° W | Good | Davenport, IA |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 13 mi | 166° SSE | Strong | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 13 mi | 166° SSE | Good | Davenport, IA |
| KIINFull power | 49 mi | 288° WNW | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 49 mi | 289° WNW | Good | Iowa City, IA |
| W27EJ-DLow power | 51 mi | 57° ENE | Poor | Sterling, IL |
| WSIO-LDLow power | 66 mi | 142° SE | Poor | Peoria, IL |
How East Moline compares with the rest of Illinois
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, East Moline ranks 565th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 3.6 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 Davenport, 7.1 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in East Moline: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 166° SSE, 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 East Moline, IL?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 13 miles SSE of East Moline. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in East Moline, IL?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 3.6 miles NNW of East Moline. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in East Moline, IL?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 3.6 miles NNW of East Moline. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in East Moline, IL?
Fox is on channel 18 from KLJB, broadcasting from 13 miles SSE of East Moline. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in East Moline, IL?
CW is on channel 26 from KGCW, broadcasting from 12 miles SSE of East Moline. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in East Moline?
13 transmitters within 70 miles of East Moline; 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 East Moline?
The main network towers around East Moline are in different directions: ABC 166° SSE (13 mi), CBS 332° NNW (3.6 mi), NBC 332° NNW (3.6 mi) and Fox 166° SSE (13 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in East Moline?
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 East Moline?
KWQC-TV is only 3.6 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 East Moline?
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
- Silvis1.7 mi
- Moline3.7 mi
- Colona4.9 mi
- Rock Island7.0 mi
- Milan7.4 mi
- Geneseo15 mi
- Cambridge19 mi
- Aledo26 mi
- Prophetstown29 mi
- Kewanee32 mi
- Morrison33 mi
- Galesburg38 mi
- Monmouth42 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Bettendorf, IA4.0 mi
- Davenport, IA7.1 mi
- Eldridge, IA13 mi
- Blue Grass, IA17 mi
- De Witt, IA23 mi
- Clinton, IA27 mi
- Wilton, IA30 mi
- Muscatine, IA31 mi
- Preston, IA38 mi
- Tipton, IA40 mi
- Maquoketa, IA41 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 East Moline; signal estimates ignore terrain.