TV channels & antenna towers in Hartford, Illinois

Hartford, Illinois has a population of about 1,380. There are 28 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 11 full-power, 4 Class A, 12 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 20 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 13 transmitters are within 25 miles, 8 between 25 and 45 miles, and 7 farther out. Six of the 8 network stations in range are licensed to St. Louis, MO, so most of the network channels you will find here come from St. Louis's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 30 (KDNL-TV), CBS on channel 4 (KMOV), NBC on channel 5 (KSDK), Fox on channel 2 (KTVI), CW on channel 11 (KPLR-TV), ION on channel 46 (WRBU), Telemundo on channel 45 (WODK-LD) and MeTV on channel 24.1 (KNLC). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal). 4 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Point your antenna SSW, at about 214°. The main network towers for Hartford sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Two network stations, KDNL-TV and KSDK, transmit from the same tower site about 22 miles southwest of Hartford (216° SW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Hartford at fair strength or better, all arrive from the southwest, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

The farthest main network tower for Hartford is KTVI (Fox), 25 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

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.

With 20 stations at fair strength or better, Hartford ranks 311th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 22 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 Upper Alton, 6.1 miles away.