TV channels & antenna towers in Lake of the Woods, Illinois

Lake of the Woods, Illinois has a population of about 2,910. 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, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 5 transmitters are within 25 miles, 7 between 25 and 45 miles, and 12 farther out. Three of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Springfield, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Springfield's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 15 (WICD), CBS on channel 3 (WCIA), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 43 (WYZZ-TV), CW on channel 23 (WBUI), ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD) and MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI). 4 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around Lake of the Woods are in different directions: ABC 111° ESE (26 mi), CBS 212° SSW (8.2 mi) and NBC 235° SW (30 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 26 miles east of Lake of the Woods (111° ESE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Lake of the Woods at fair strength or better, 63% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

The farthest main network tower for Lake of the Woods is WAND (NBC), 30 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WYZZ-TV (Fox), 52 miles northwest, 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.

WCIA is only 8.2 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.

With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Lake of the Woods ranks 534th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 8.2 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 Champaign, 9.1 miles away.