TV channels & antenna towers in Hampshire, Illinois

Hampshire has 40 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 19 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WAUR-LD, 30 miles to the S.

Open Hampshire in the live finder

40TV transmitters within 70 miles

9networks over the air

30 mito the closest tower

6,130population

Network channels in Hampshire

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
FOXWQRF-TVFox	39	35 mi	292° WNW	Good	Rockford, IL
ABCWTVOABC	17	35 mi	292° WNW	Good	Rockford, IL
TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo	23	36 mi	293° WNW	Weak	Rockford, IL
CBSWIFR-LDCBS	23	36 mi	293° WNW	Weak	Rockford, IL
CWWSLNCW	19	36 mi	293° WNW	Fair	Freeport, IL
NBCWREXNBC	13	39 mi	291° WNW	Fair	Rockford, IL
FOXWFLDFox	32	48 mi	108° ESE	Good	Chicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC	5	48 mi	108° ESE	Good	Chicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo	44	48 mi	108° ESE	Good	Chicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV	23.1	48 mi	108° ESE	Poor	Chicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV	26.3	48 mi	108° ESE	Good	Chicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW	9	48 mi	108° ESE	Good	Chicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS	2	48 mi	108° ESE	Fair	Chicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION	38	48 mi	108° ESE	Good	Chicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC	7	48 mi	108° ESE	Good	Chicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision	66	49 mi	106° ESE	Good	Joliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION	49.4	49 mi	106° ESE	Poor	Chicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Hampshire

Hampshire, Illinois has a population of about 6,130. There are 40 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 18 full-power, 7 Class A, 14 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 13 at good or strong strength.

0 of them are within 25 miles of Hampshire, 8 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 32 are more than 45 miles 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.

Which way to point your antenna in Hampshire

The main network towers around Hampshire are in different directions: ABC 108° ESE (48 mi), CBS 108° ESE (48 mi), NBC 108° ESE (48 mi) and Fox 292° WNW (35 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 35 miles west of Hampshire (292° WNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

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

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Hampshire

The farthest main network tower for Hampshire is WBBM-TV (CBS), 48 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.

Other stations near Hampshire

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WAUR-LDLow power	30 mi	185° S	Fair	Aurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power	30 mi	185° S	Weak	Earlville, IL
W35DY-DTranslator	47 mi	316° NW	Poor	Stoughton, WI
WTTWFull power	48 mi	108° ESE	Good	Chicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power	48 mi	108° ESE	Good	Gary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A	48 mi	108° ESE	Poor	Arlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A	48 mi	108° ESE	Poor	Chicago, IL
WJYSFull power	48 mi	108° ESE	Fair	Hammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power	48 mi	108° ESE	Good	Aurora, IL
WWTO-TVFull power	49 mi	106° ESE	Fair	Naperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A	49 mi	106° ESE	Poor	Chicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power	49 mi	106° ESE	Poor	Chicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power	49 mi	106° ESE	Poor	Chicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power	49 mi	106° ESE	Poor	Arlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A	49 mi	106° ESE	Poor	Sugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power	49 mi	106° ESE	Poor	Chicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A	49 mi	106° ESE	Poor	Chicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A	49 mi	106° ESE	Poor	Plano, IL
WCHU-LDLow power	49 mi	107° ESE	Poor	Oakwood Hills, IL
WDCI-LDLow power	49 mi	107° ESE	Poor	Chicago, IL
W27EJ-DLow power	57 mi	256° WSW	Poor	Sterling, IL
WDMW-LDLow power	63 mi	16° NNE	Poor	Milwaukee, WI
WTAS-LDLow power	63 mi	16° NNE	Poor	Waukesha, WI

How Hampshire compares with the rest of Illinois

With 19 stations at fair strength or better, Hampshire ranks 341st of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 35 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 Huntley, 7.1 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Hampshire: 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 108° ESE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 48 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 19 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 Hampshire, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 48 miles ESE of Hampshire. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Hampshire, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 48 miles ESE of Hampshire. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Hampshire, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 48 miles ESE of Hampshire. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Hampshire, IL?

Fox is on channel 39 from WQRF-TV, broadcasting from 35 miles WNW of Hampshire. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Hampshire, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 48 miles ESE of Hampshire. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Hampshire?

40 transmitters within 70 miles of Hampshire; around 19 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 Hampshire?

What kind of antenna do I need in Hampshire?

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 176° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Hampshire?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Hampshire?

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

More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Hampshire; signal estimates ignore terrain.