TV channels & antenna towers in McHenry, Illinois

McHenry, Illinois has a population of about 26,700. Our map shows 55 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 29 full-power, 9 Class A, 16 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 26 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 18 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 14 between 25 and 45 miles, and 41 farther out. Ten of the 25 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 58 (WDJT-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 (good signal) and Univision (good signal). 10 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 McHenry are in different directions: ABC 134° SE (45 mi), CBS 17° NNE (56 mi), NBC 134° SE (45 mi) and Fox 134° SE (45 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Ten network stations, WGBO-DT, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV and WWME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 45 miles southeast of McHenry (132° SE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 18 full-power and Class A network signals that reach McHenry at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.

WDJT-TV (CBS) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from McHenry. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

The farthest main network tower for McHenry is WDJT-TV (CBS), 56 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

With 26 stations at fair strength or better, McHenry ranks 174th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 45 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

18% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Palatine, 19 miles away.