TV channels & antenna towers in Macomb, Illinois

Macomb has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, Fox, CW, MeTV and Trinity. About 8 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WMEC, 5.3 miles to the SW.

Open Macomb in the live finder

26TV transmitters within 70 miles

6networks over the air

5.3 mito the closest tower

18,547population

Network channels in Macomb

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
ABCKHQA-TVABC	7.2	48 mi	226° SW	Good	Hannibal, MO
CWWGEM-TVCW	10.2	48 mi	226° SW	Good	Quincy, IL
MeTVWHOIMeTV	19.6	60 mi	78° ENE	Weak	Peoria, IL
CWWEEK-TVCW	25.3	60 mi	78° ENE	Weak	Peoria, IL
CBSWMBD-TVCBS	31	61 mi	78° ENE	Weak	Peoria, IL
FOXKLJBFox	18	61 mi	14° NNE	Fair	Davenport, IA
ABCWQAD-TVABC	8	61 mi	14° NNE	Fair	Moline, IL
TBNWMWC-TVTrinity	53	61 mi	14° NNE	Weak	Galesburg, IL
CWKGCWCW	26	62 mi	14° NNE	Fair	Burlington, IA

Over-the-air TV in Macomb

Macomb is a city of about 18,500 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 26 licensed TV transmitters: 16 full-power, 6 low-power and 4 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.

1 of them is within 25 miles of Macomb, 2 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 23 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 9 network stations in range are licensed to Peoria, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Peoria's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 7.2 (KHQA-TV), CBS on channel 31 (WMBD-TV), Fox on channel 18 (KLJB), CW on channel 10.2 (WGEM-TV), MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KWQC-TV in Davenport, IA, 76 miles to the north. 7 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 Macomb

The main network towers around Macomb are in different directions: ABC 226° SW (48 mi), CBS 78° ENE (61 mi) and Fox 14° NNE (61 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Four network stations, KLJB, WQAD-TV, WMWC-TV and KGCW, transmit from the same tower site about 61 miles north of Macomb (14° NNE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Macomb at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across one other direction.

WMBD-TV (CBS) and KLJB (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Macomb. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Macomb

The farthest main network tower for Macomb is KLJB (Fox), 61 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

WMEC is only 5.3 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 Macomb

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WMECFull power	5.3 mi	217° SW	Strong	Macomb, IL
K18NZ-DTranslator	39 mi	265° W	Poor	Keokuk, IA
K28JD-DTranslator	42 mi	287° WNW	Poor	Fort Madison, IA
WQECFull power	47 mi	226° SW	Weak	Quincy, IL
WTJRFull power	48 mi	226° SW	Good	Quincy, IL
W27DF-DLow power	48 mi	226° SW	Poor	Quincy, IL
K14SU-DLow power	48 mi	226° SW	Poor	Keokuk, IA
W17EH-DLow power	48 mi	226° SW	Poor	Quincy, IL
WSIO-LDLow power	56 mi	69° ENE	Poor	Peoria, IL
W19EE-DLow power	57 mi	154° SSE	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
WTVPFull power	59 mi	78° ENE	Weak	Peoria, IL
WQPT-TVFull power	61 mi	14° NNE	Fair	Moline, IL
KQINFull power	61 mi	14° NNE	Weak	Davenport, IA
W27EQ-DLow power	64 mi	79° E	Poor	Peoria, IL
WSECFull power	68 mi	151° SSE	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
W29ES-DTranslator	68 mi	151° SSE	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
K24IM-DTranslator	69 mi	285° WNW	Poor	Keosauqua, IA

How Macomb compares with the rest of Illinois

With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Macomb ranks 683rd of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 48 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

18% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna.

Setting up an antenna in Macomb: step by step

Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
Point it toward 14° NNE, the direction of KLJB (Fox), 61 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 8 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 Macomb, IL?

ABC is on channel 7.2 from KHQA-TV, broadcasting from 48 miles SW of Macomb. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Macomb, IL?

CBS is on channel 31 from WMBD-TV, broadcasting from 61 miles ENE of Macomb. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is Fox in Macomb, IL?

Fox is on channel 18 from KLJB, broadcasting from 61 miles NNE of Macomb. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CW in Macomb, IL?

CW is on channel 10.2 from WGEM-TV, broadcasting from 48 miles SW of Macomb. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Macomb?

26 transmitters within 70 miles of Macomb; around 8 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Macomb?

What kind of antenna do I need in Macomb?

Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below. The towers are spread over about 212° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Macomb?

WMEC is only 5.3 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 Macomb?

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

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 Macomb; signal estimates ignore terrain.