TV channels & antenna towers in Homer, Illinois
Homer has 21 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 WICD (ABC), 3.4 miles to the NE.
Network channels in Homer
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWICDABC | 15 | 3.4 mi | 45° NE | Strong | Champaign, IL |
| FOXWCCUFox | 27 | 3.4 mi | 45° NE | Strong | Urbana, IL |
| CBSWCIACBS | 3 | 26 mi | 281° W | Good | Champaign, IL |
| NBCWANDNBC | 17 | 47 mi | 263° W | Good | Decatur, IL |
| CWWBUICW | 23 | 47 mi | 263° W | Good | Decatur, IL |
| CWWTWOCW | 2.2 | 62 mi | 151° SSE | Weak | Terre Haute, IN |
| ABCWAWV-TVABC | 38 | 62 mi | 151° SSE | Weak | Terre Haute, IN |
| FOXWTHI-TVFox | 10.2 | 63 mi | 151° SSE | Poor | Terre Haute, IN |
| ABCWPBI-CDABC | 16.3 | 64 mi | 66° ENE | Poor | Lafayette, IN |
| ABCWPBY-CDABC | 35 | 64 mi | 66° ENE | Poor | Lafayette, IN |
| IONWCQA-LDION | 16.4 | 65 mi | 266° W | Poor | Springfield, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Homer
Homer is a small community of about 1,200 people in Illinois. There are 21 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 10 full-power, 3 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 6 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 6 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 12 farther out. Three of the 11 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.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 15 (WICD), CBS on channel 3 (WCIA), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 27 (WCCU), CW on channel 23 (WBUI) and ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD). 2 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 Homer
The main network towers around Homer are in different directions: ABC 45° NE (3.4 mi), CBS 281° W (26 mi) and Fox 45° NE (3.4 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Two network stations, WICD and WCCU, transmit from the same tower site about 3.4 miles northeast of Homer (45° NE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Homer at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Homer, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Homer
The farthest main network tower for Homer is WCIA (CBS), 26 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
WAND (NBC), 47 miles west, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
WICD is only 3.4 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 Homer
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W23EQ-DTranslator | 15 mi | 58° ENE | Fair | Danville, IL |
| W27EL-DLow power | 16 mi | 289° WNW | Fair | Champaign, IL |
| WBXC-CDClass A | 16 mi | 289° WNW | Fair | Champaign/Urbana, IL |
| W07DD-DLow power | 20 mi | 297° WNW | Poor | Champaign, IL |
| WEIU-TVFull power | 37 mi | 210° SSW | Good | Charleston, IL |
| WILL-TVFull power | 38 mi | 271° W | Fair | Urbana, IL |
| WLCF-LDLow power | 49 mi | 263° W | Poor | Decatur, IL |
| W33EK-DTranslator | 59 mi | 203° SSW | Poor | Effingham, IL |
| W19FD-DLow power | 63 mi | 151° SSE | Poor | Terre Haute, IN |
| W24FB-DLow power | 63 mi | 151° SSE | Poor | Brazil, IN |
How Homer compares with the rest of Illinois
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Homer ranks 609th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 3.4 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 Urbana, 14 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Homer: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 281° W, the direction of WCIA (CBS), 26 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 Homer, IL?
ABC is on channel 15 from WICD, broadcasting from 3.4 miles NE of Homer. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Homer, IL?
CBS is on channel 3 from WCIA, broadcasting from 26 miles W of Homer. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Homer, IL?
NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 47 miles W of Homer. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Homer, IL?
Fox is on channel 27 from WCCU, broadcasting from 3.4 miles NE of Homer. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Homer, IL?
CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 47 miles W of Homer. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Homer?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Homer; around 10 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 Homer?
The main network towers around Homer are in different directions: ABC 45° NE (3.4 mi), CBS 281° W (26 mi) and Fox 45° NE (3.4 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Homer?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice. The towers are spread over about 124° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help. Picking up NBC from up to 47 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Homer?
WAND (NBC), 47 miles west, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Homer?
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
- Urbana14 mi
- Savoy16 mi
- Champaign16 mi
- Georgetown18 mi
- Danville18 mi
- Rantoul22 mi
- Chrisman22 mi
- Tuscola24 mi
- Mahomet26 mi
- Paxton30 mi
- Paris32 mi
- Monticello33 mi
- Hoopeston34 mi
- Gibson City37 mi
- Farmer City39 mi
- Charleston39 mi
- Milford43 mi
- Mattoon44 mi
- Sullivan46 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Homer; signal estimates ignore terrain.