TV channels & antenna towers in Effingham, Illinois
Effingham has 21 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 7 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WEDK-LD, 5.2 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Effingham
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWWBUICW | 23 | 59 mi | 345° NNW | Fair | Decatur, IL |
| NBCWANDNBC | 17 | 60 mi | 345° NNW | Good | Decatur, IL |
| CWWTWOCW | 2.2 | 62 mi | 82° E | Weak | Terre Haute, IN |
| ABCWAWV-TVABC | 38 | 62 mi | 82° E | Weak | Terre Haute, IN |
| FOXWTHI-TVFox | 10.2 | 63 mi | 82° E | Poor | Terre Haute, IN |
| IONWCQA-LDION | 16.4 | 68 mi | 330° NNW | Poor | Springfield, IL |
| ABCWICSABC | 20 | 68 mi | 314° NW | Fair | Springfield, IL |
| FOXWRSP-TVFox | 55 | 68 mi | 314° NW | Fair | Springfield, IL |
| CBSWCIACBS | 3 | 68 mi | 4° N | Weak | Champaign, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Effingham
With roughly 12,600 residents, Effingham is a city in Illinois. Our map shows 21 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 13 full-power, 1 Class A, 6 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 7 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 17 farther out. Three of the 9 network stations in range are licensed to Terre Haute, IN, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Terre Haute's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 20 (WICS), CBS on channel 3 (WCIA), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 55 (WRSP-TV), CW on channel 23 (WBUI) and ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD). 5 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 Effingham
The main network towers around Effingham are in different directions: ABC 314° NW (68 mi), CBS 4° N (68 mi), NBC 345° NNW (60 mi) and Fox 314° NW (68 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Three network stations, WTWO, WAWV-TV and WTHI-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 62 miles east of Effingham (82° E). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Effingham at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across one other direction.
WICS (ABC), WCIA (CBS), WAND (NBC) and WRSP-TV (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Effingham. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Effingham
The farthest main network tower for Effingham is WCIA (CBS), 68 miles away with a weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
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.
Other stations near Effingham
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEDK-LDLow power | 5.2 mi | 247° WSW | Weak | Effingham, IL |
| W33EK-DTranslator | 13 mi | 44° NE | Good | Effingham, IL |
| WUSI-TVFull power | 30 mi | 131° SE | Good | Olney, IL |
| WEIU-TVFull power | 34 mi | 22° NNE | Good | Charleston, IL |
| W29CI-DClass A | 46 mi | 213° SSW | Poor | Salem, IL |
| WLCF-LDLow power | 60 mi | 343° NNW | Poor | Decatur, IL |
| W19FD-DLow power | 62 mi | 82° E | Poor | Terre Haute, IN |
| W24FB-DLow power | 62 mi | 82° E | Poor | Brazil, IN |
| WILL-TVFull power | 64 mi | 354° N | Poor | Urbana, IL |
| WVUTFull power | 66 mi | 119° ESE | Poor | Vincennes, IN |
| W23EW-DLow power | 68 mi | 310° NW | Poor | Springfield, IL |
| WCIXFull power | 70 mi | 312° NW | Poor | Springfield, IL |
How Effingham compares with the rest of Illinois
With 7 stations at fair strength or better, Effingham ranks 716th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 59 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.
18% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Effingham: step by step
- Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
- Point it toward 4° N, the direction of WCIA (CBS), 68 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 7 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 Effingham, IL?
ABC is on channel 20 from WICS, broadcasting from 68 miles NW of Effingham. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Effingham, IL?
CBS is on channel 3 from WCIA, broadcasting from 68 miles N of Effingham. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is NBC in Effingham, IL?
NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 60 miles NNW of Effingham. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Effingham, IL?
Fox is on channel 55 from WRSP-TV, broadcasting from 68 miles NW of Effingham. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Effingham, IL?
CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 59 miles NNW of Effingham. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Effingham?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Effingham; around 7 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Effingham?
The main network towers around Effingham are in different directions: ABC 314° NW (68 mi), CBS 4° N (68 mi), NBC 345° NNW (60 mi) and Fox 314° NW (68 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Effingham?
Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Effingham?
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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Effingham?
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
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- Neoga15 mi
- Greenup22 mi
- Newton22 mi
- Windsor22 mi
- Shelbyville24 mi
- Mattoon27 mi
- Ramsey30 mi
- Flora31 mi
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- Casey32 mi
- Charleston33 mi
- Sullivan33 mi
- Pana34 mi
- Olney36 mi
- Salem40 mi
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- Robinson44 mi
- Sumner46 mi
- Mount Zion48 mi
- Tuscola49 mi
- Marshall49 mi
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More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Effingham; signal estimates ignore terrain.