TV channels & antenna towers in North Aurora, Illinois
North Aurora has 40 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 17 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WAUR-LD, 16 miles to the SW.
Network channels in North Aurora
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWFLDFox | 32 | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Chicago, IL |
| NBCWMAQ-TVNBC | 5 | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Chicago, IL |
| TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo | 44 | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Chicago, IL |
| MeTVWWME-CDMeTV | 23.1 | 36 mi | 82° E | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV | 26.3 | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Chicago, IL |
| CWWGN-TVCW | 9 | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Chicago, IL |
| CBSWBBM-TVCBS | 2 | 36 mi | 82° E | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| IONWCPX-TVION | 38 | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Chicago, IL |
| ABCWLS-TVABC | 7 | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Chicago, IL |
| UNIWGBO-DTUnivision | 66 | 37 mi | 80° E | Good | Joliet, IL |
| IONKPDS-LDION | 49.4 | 37 mi | 80° E | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| FOXWQRF-TVFox | 39 | 55 mi | 308° NW | Weak | Rockford, IL |
| ABCWTVOABC | 17 | 55 mi | 308° NW | Weak | Rockford, IL |
| TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo | 23 | 55 mi | 308° NW | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CBSWIFR-LDCBS | 23 | 55 mi | 308° NW | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CWWSLNCW | 19 | 55 mi | 308° NW | Weak | Freeport, IL |
| NBCWREXNBC | 13 | 58 mi | 306° NW | Poor | Rockford, IL |
Over-the-air TV in North Aurora
North Aurora is a town of about 17,500 people in Illinois. There are 40 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 19 full-power, 7 Class A, 13 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 17 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.
2 of them are within 25 miles of North Aurora, 28 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 10 are more than 45 miles out. Ten of the 17 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 (good signal) and Univision (good 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 North Aurora
Point your antenna E, at about 82°. The main network towers for North Aurora 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 36 miles east of North Aurora (82° E). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach North Aurora at fair strength or better, all arrive from the east, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from North Aurora, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for North Aurora
The farthest main network tower for North Aurora is WBBM-TV (CBS), 36 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near North Aurora
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAUR-LDLow power | 16 mi | 233° SW | Fair | Aurora, IL |
| WSPY-LDLow power | 16 mi | 233° SW | Fair | Earlville, IL |
| WTTWFull power | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Chicago, IL |
| WPWR-TVFull power | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Gary, IN |
| WEDE-CDClass A | 36 mi | 82° E | Weak | Arlington Heights, IL |
| WMEU-CDClass A | 36 mi | 82° E | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WJYSFull power | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Hammond, IN |
| WXFT-DTFull power | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Aurora, IL |
| WCHU-LDLow power | 37 mi | 81° E | Poor | Oakwood Hills, IL |
| WDCI-LDLow power | 37 mi | 81° E | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WWTO-TVFull power | 37 mi | 80° E | Fair | Naperville, IL |
| WOCK-CDClass A | 37 mi | 80° E | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| W31EZ-DLow power | 37 mi | 80° E | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WESV-LDLow power | 37 mi | 80° E | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WRJK-LDLow power | 37 mi | 80° E | Poor | Arlington Heights, IL |
| W27EB-DClass A | 37 mi | 80° E | Weak | Sugar Grove, IL |
| WRME-LDLow power | 37 mi | 80° E | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| WPVN-CDClass A | 37 mi | 80° E | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WLPD-CDClass A | 37 mi | 80° E | Weak | Plano, IL |
| WYINFull power | 57 mi | 123° ESE | Fair | Gary, IN |
| WODN-LDLow power | 60 mi | 102° ESE | Poor | Portage, IN |
| W27EJ-DLow power | 66 mi | 276° W | Poor | Sterling, IL |
| W35DY-DTranslator | 69 mi | 322° NW | Poor | Stoughton, WI |
How North Aurora compares with the rest of Illinois
With 17 stations at fair strength or better, North Aurora ranks 366th of 766 places in Illinois: the same as the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 36 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.
54% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Aurora, 3.2 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in North Aurora: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 82° E, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 36 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 17 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 North Aurora, IL?
ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 36 miles E of North Aurora. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in North Aurora, IL?
CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 36 miles E of North Aurora. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in North Aurora, IL?
NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 36 miles E of North Aurora. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in North Aurora, IL?
Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 36 miles E of North Aurora. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in North Aurora, IL?
CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 36 miles E of North Aurora. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in North Aurora?
40 transmitters within 70 miles of North Aurora; around 17 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 North Aurora?
Point your antenna E, at about 82°. The main network towers for North Aurora sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in North Aurora?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in North Aurora?
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in North Aurora?
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
- Batavia3.1 mi
- Aurora3.2 mi
- Montgomery5.3 mi
- Geneva5.7 mi
- Boulder Hill6.5 mi
- Sugar Grove6.7 mi
- Saint Charles7.5 mi
- Warrenville8.0 mi
- West Chicago8.4 mi
- Oswego8.6 mi
- Lynwood9.1 mi
- Naperville9.4 mi
- Winfield9.4 mi
- Elburn9.5 mi
- Village of Campton Hills9.7 mi
- Wasco9.9 mi
- Wheaton12 mi
- Carol Stream12 mi
- Yorkville13 mi
- Lisle13 mi
- South Elgin13 mi
- Plainfield14 mi
- Glen Ellyn14 mi
- Plano15 mi
More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of North Aurora; signal estimates ignore terrain.