RCA Signal Finder

TV channels & antenna towers in Lincoln Square, Illinois

Lincoln Square has 34 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 29 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWTO-TV, 6.3 miles to the SSE.

Open Lincoln Square in the live finder
34TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
6.3 mito the closest tower
40,761population

Network channels in Lincoln Square

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 6.3 mi147° SSE StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 6.3 mi147° SSE FairChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 7.2 mi158° SSE StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 7.2 mi158° SSE StrongChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 7.2 mi158° SSE StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 7.2 mi158° SSE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 7.2 mi158° SSE StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 7.2 mi158° SSE StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 7.2 mi158° SSE GoodChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 7.2 mi158° SSE StrongChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 7.2 mi158° SSE StrongChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Lincoln Square

Lincoln Square is a town of about 40,800 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 34 licensed TV transmitters: 15 full-power, 7 Class A and 12 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 29 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 24 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 28 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 5 farther out. Ten of the 11 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 32 (WFLD), 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 (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 6 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 Lincoln Square

Point your antenna SSE, at about 158°. The main network towers for Lincoln Square sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WGBO-DT, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV and WWME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 6.3 miles southeast of Lincoln Square (147° SSE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Lincoln Square at fair strength or better, 90% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Lincoln Square

The farthest main network tower for Lincoln Square is WBBM-TV (CBS), 7.2 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

WGBO-DT is only 6.3 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 Lincoln Square

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WWTO-TVFull power6.3 mi 147° SSEGoodNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A6.3 mi 147° SSEFairChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power6.3 mi 147° SSEGoodChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power6.3 mi 147° SSEGoodChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power6.3 mi 147° SSEGoodArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A6.3 mi 147° SSEGoodSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power6.3 mi 147° SSEFairChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A6.3 mi 147° SSEGoodChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A6.3 mi 147° SSEGoodPlano, IL
WCHU-LDLow power6.8 mi 152° SSEFairOakwood Hills, IL
WDCI-LDLow power7.2 mi 151° SSEGoodChicago, IL
WTTWFull power7.2 mi 158° SSEStrongChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power7.2 mi 158° SSEStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A7.2 mi 158° SSEFairArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A7.2 mi 158° SSEGoodChicago, IL
WJYSFull power7.2 mi 158° SSEStrongHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power7.2 mi 158° SSEStrongAurora, IL
WODN-LDLow power35 mi 133° SEPoorPortage, IN
WYINFull power46 mi 161° SSEGoodGary, IN
WAAA-LDLow power47 mi 132° SEPoorValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power50 mi 245° WSWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power50 mi 245° WSWPoorEarlville, IL
WYGN-LDLow power69 mi 90° EPoorBerrien Springs, MI

How Lincoln Square compares with the rest of Illinois

With 29 stations at fair strength or better, Lincoln Square ranks 17th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 6.3 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

28% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is West Town, 5.7 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Lincoln Square: step by step

  1. Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
  2. Point it toward 158° SSE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 7.2 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 29 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Lincoln Square, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 7.2 miles SSE of Lincoln Square. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Lincoln Square, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 7.2 miles SSE of Lincoln Square. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Lincoln Square, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 7.2 miles SSE of Lincoln Square. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Lincoln Square, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 7.2 miles SSE of Lincoln Square. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Lincoln Square, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 7.2 miles SSE of Lincoln Square. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Lincoln Square?

34 transmitters within 70 miles of Lincoln Square; around 29 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Lincoln Square?

Point your antenna SSE, at about 158°. The main network towers for Lincoln Square sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Lincoln Square?

Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Lincoln Square?

WGBO-DT is only 6.3 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 Lincoln Square?

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 Lincoln Square; signal estimates ignore terrain.