RCA Signal Finder

TV channels & antenna towers in McKinley Park, Illinois

McKinley Park 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, 3.8 miles to the NNE.

Open McKinley Park in the live finder
34TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
3.8 mito the closest tower
15,612population

Network channels in McKinley Park

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 3.8 mi31° NNE StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 3.8 mi31° NNE StrongChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 3.8 mi31° NNE StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 3.8 mi31° NNE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 3.8 mi31° NNE StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 3.8 mi31° NNE StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 3.8 mi31° NNE StrongChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 3.8 mi31° NNE StrongChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 3.8 mi31° NNE StrongChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 5.3 mi29° NNE StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 5.3 mi29° NNE FairChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in McKinley Park

McKinley Park, Illinois has a population of about 15,600. Our map shows 34 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 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 McKinley Park, 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.

The strongest network signals here 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 McKinley Park

Point your antenna NNE, at about 31°. The main network towers for McKinley Park 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 3.8 miles northeast of McKinley Park (31° NNE). 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 McKinley Park 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 McKinley Park, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for McKinley Park

The farthest main network tower for McKinley Park is WBBM-TV (CBS), 3.8 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

WTTW is only 3.8 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 McKinley Park

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WTTWFull power3.8 mi 31° NNEStrongChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power3.8 mi 31° NNEStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A3.8 mi 31° NNEGoodArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A3.8 mi 31° NNEGoodChicago, IL
WJYSFull power3.8 mi 31° NNEStrongHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power3.8 mi 31° NNEStrongAurora, IL
WDCI-LDLow power4.6 mi 36° NEGoodChicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power4.6 mi 31° NNEGoodOakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power5.3 mi 29° NNEGoodNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A5.3 mi 29° NNEGoodChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power5.3 mi 29° NNEGoodChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power5.3 mi 29° NNEGoodChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power5.3 mi 29° NNEGoodArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A5.3 mi 29° NNEGoodSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power5.3 mi 29° NNEGoodChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A5.3 mi 29° NNEGoodChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A5.3 mi 29° NNEGoodPlano, IL
WODN-LDLow power29 mi 120° ESEWeakPortage, IN
WYINFull power36 mi 157° SSEGoodGary, IN
WAAA-LDLow power40 mi 122° ESEPoorValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power48 mi 256° WSWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power48 mi 256° WSWPoorEarlville, IL
WYGN-LDLow power69 mi 82° EPoorBerrien Springs, MI

How McKinley Park compares with the rest of Illinois

With 29 stations at fair strength or better, McKinley Park ranks 17th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 3.8 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 Bridgeport, 1.2 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in McKinley Park: 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 31° NNE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 3.8 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 McKinley Park, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 3.8 miles NNE of McKinley Park. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in McKinley Park, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 3.8 miles NNE of McKinley Park. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in McKinley Park, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 3.8 miles NNE of McKinley Park. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in McKinley Park, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 3.8 miles NNE of McKinley Park. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in McKinley Park, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 3.8 miles NNE of McKinley Park. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in McKinley Park?

34 transmitters within 70 miles of McKinley Park; 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 McKinley Park?

Point your antenna NNE, at about 31°. The main network towers for McKinley Park sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in McKinley Park?

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 McKinley Park?

WTTW is only 3.8 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 McKinley Park?

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 McKinley Park; signal estimates ignore terrain.