RCA Signal Finder

TV channels & antenna towers in Lower West Side, Illinois

Lower West Side 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 WTTW, 2.3 miles to the NE.

Open Lower West Side in the live finder
34TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
2.3 mito the closest tower
34,410population

Network channels in Lower West Side

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 2.3 mi42° NE StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 2.3 mi42° NE StrongChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 2.3 mi42° NE StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 2.3 mi42° NE StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 2.3 mi42° NE StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 2.3 mi42° NE StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 2.3 mi42° NE StrongChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 2.3 mi42° NE StrongChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 2.3 mi42° NE StrongChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 3.8 mi35° NE StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 3.8 mi35° NE FairChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Lower West Side

With roughly 34,400 residents, Lower West Side is a city 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 28 at good or strong strength.

28 of them are within 25 miles of Lower West Side, 3 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 3 are more than 45 miles 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.

For the networks, the best local options 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 Lower West Side

Point your antenna NE, at about 42°. The main network towers for Lower West Side sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV, WWME-CD and WCIU-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 2.3 miles northeast of Lower West Side (42° NE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Lower West Side at fair strength or better, all arrive from the northeast, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Lower West Side

The farthest main network tower for Lower West Side is WBBM-TV (CBS), 2.3 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

WTTW is only 2.3 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 Lower West Side

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WTTWFull power2.3 mi 42° NEStrongChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power2.3 mi 42° NEStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A2.3 mi 42° NEGoodArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A2.3 mi 42° NEStrongChicago, IL
WJYSFull power2.3 mi 42° NEStrongHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power2.3 mi 42° NEStrongAurora, IL
WDCI-LDLow power3.1 mi 47° NEStrongChicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power3.1 mi 40° NEGoodOakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power3.8 mi 35° NEGoodNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A3.8 mi 35° NEGoodChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power3.8 mi 35° NEGoodChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power3.8 mi 35° NEGoodChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power3.8 mi 35° NEGoodArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A3.8 mi 35° NEGoodSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power3.8 mi 35° NEGoodChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A3.8 mi 35° NEGoodChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A3.8 mi 35° NEGoodPlano, IL
WODN-LDLow power29 mi 123° ESEWeakPortage, IN
WYINFull power38 mi 158° SSEGoodGary, IN
WAAA-LDLow power40 mi 125° SEPoorValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power49 mi 255° WSWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power49 mi 255° WSWPoorEarlville, IL
WYGN-LDLow power68 mi 83° EPoorBerrien Springs, MI

How Lower West Side compares with the rest of Illinois

With 29 stations at fair strength or better, Lower West Side ranks 17th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 2.3 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 Chicago, 0.9 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Lower West Side: 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 42° NE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 2.3 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 Lower West Side, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 2.3 miles NE of Lower West Side. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Lower West Side, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 2.3 miles NE of Lower West Side. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Lower West Side, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 2.3 miles NE of Lower West Side. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Lower West Side, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 2.3 miles NE of Lower West Side. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Lower West Side, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 2.3 miles NE of Lower West Side. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Lower West Side?

34 transmitters within 70 miles of Lower West Side; 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 Lower West Side?

Point your antenna NE, at about 42°. The main network towers for Lower West Side sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Lower West Side?

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 Lower West Side?

WTTW is only 2.3 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 Lower West Side?

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 Lower West Side; signal estimates ignore terrain.