TV channels & antenna towers in Galena, Illinois
Galena has 24 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 10 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KFXB-TV, 12 miles to the NW.
Network channels in Galena
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 60 mi | 182° S | Good | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 60 mi | 182° S | Fair | Rock Island, IL |
| NBCWREXNBC | 13 | 61 mi | 97° E | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| FOXWMSN-TVFox | 47 | 63 mi | 45° NE | Fair | Madison, WI |
| IONWIFSION | 57 | 63 mi | 45° NE | Fair | Janesville, WI |
| ABCWKOWABC | 27 | 63 mi | 45° NE | Good | Madison, WI |
| CBSWISC-TVCBS | 3 | 63 mi | 45° NE | Fair | Madison, WI |
| TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo | 23 | 65 mi | 97° E | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CBSWIFR-LDCBS | 23 | 65 mi | 97° E | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CWWSLNCW | 19 | 65 mi | 97° E | Poor | Freeport, IL |
| CWWMTVCW | 15.2 | 65 mi | 47° NE | Fair | Madison, WI |
| FOXWQRF-TVFox | 39 | 65 mi | 98° E | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| ABCWTVOABC | 17 | 65 mi | 98° E | Poor | Rockford, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Galena
Galena, Illinois has a population of about 3,300. There are 24 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 15 full-power, 1 Class A, 6 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 10 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 3 at good or strong strength.
1 of them is within 25 miles of Galena, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 22 are more than 45 miles out. Five of the 13 network stations in range are licensed to Rockford, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rockford's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 27 (WKOW), CBS on channel 3 (WISC-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 47 (WMSN-TV), CW on channel 15.2 (WMTV), ION on channel 57 (WIFS) and Telemundo on channel 23 (WFBN-LD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (very weak signal). 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 Galena
The main network towers around Galena are in different directions: ABC 45° NE (63 mi), CBS 45° NE (63 mi), NBC 182° S (60 mi) and Fox 45° NE (63 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, WMSN-TV, WIFS, WKOW and WISC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 63 miles northeast of Galena (45° NE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Galena at fair strength or better, 71% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
WKOW (ABC), WISC-TV (CBS), KWQC-TV (NBC) and WMSN-TV (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Galena. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Galena
The farthest main network tower for Galena is WMSN-TV (Fox), 63 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
KFXB-TV is only 12 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 Galena
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KFXB-TVFull power | 12 mi | 306° NW | Strong | Dubuque, IA |
| W16DU-DTranslator | 43 mi | 322° NW | Poor | Bloomington, WI |
| W27EJ-DLow power | 55 mi | 130° SE | Poor | Sterling, IL |
| WHA-TVFull power | 63 mi | 45° NE | Fair | Madison, WI |
| K33QA-DLow power | 65 mi | 191° SSW | Poor | Davenport, IA |
| W23BW-DClass A | 65 mi | 47° NE | Poor | Madison, WI |
| WMWD-LDLow power | 65 mi | 47° NE | Poor | Madison, WI |
| W35DY-DTranslator | 65 mi | 79° E | Poor | Stoughton, WI |
| WZCK-LDLow power | 65 mi | 47° NE | Poor | Madison, WI |
| KIINFull power | 67 mi | 225° SW | Weak | Iowa City, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 67 mi | 225° SW | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
How Galena compares with the rest of Illinois
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Galena ranks 609th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 60 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 Dubuque, 13 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Galena: 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 45° NE, the direction of WMSN-TV (Fox), 63 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 10 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 Galena, IL?
ABC is on channel 27 from WKOW, broadcasting from 63 miles NE of Galena. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Galena, IL?
CBS is on channel 3 from WISC-TV, broadcasting from 63 miles NE of Galena. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Galena, IL?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 60 miles S of Galena. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Galena, IL?
Fox is on channel 47 from WMSN-TV, broadcasting from 63 miles NE of Galena. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Galena, IL?
CW is on channel 15.2 from WMTV, broadcasting from 65 miles NE of Galena. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Galena?
24 transmitters within 70 miles of Galena; around 10 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 Galena?
The main network towers around Galena are in different directions: ABC 45° NE (63 mi), CBS 45° NE (63 mi), NBC 182° S (60 mi) and Fox 45° NE (63 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Galena?
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. The towers are spread over about 137° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Galena?
KFXB-TV is only 12 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 Galena?
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
Nearby cities in other states
- Bellevue, IA11 mi
- Dubuque, IA13 mi
- Shullsburg, WI15 mi
- Asbury, IA18 mi
- Platteville, WI22 mi
- Darlington, WI24 mi
- Preston, IA25 mi
- Epworth, IA26 mi
- Maquoketa, IA27 mi
- Cascade, IA31 mi
- Lancaster, WI33 mi
- Dyersville, IA36 mi
- Dodgeville, WI41 mi
- Monticello, IA41 mi
- Fennimore, WI41 mi
- De Witt, IA41 mi
- Clinton, IA41 mi
- Monroe, WI42 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 Galena; signal estimates ignore terrain.