RCA Signal Finder

TV channels & antenna towers in North Center, Illinois

North Center 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 WWTO-TV, 4.8 miles to the SE.

Open North Center in the live finder
34TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
4.8 mito the closest tower
34,623population

Network channels in North Center

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 4.8 mi143° SE StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 4.8 mi143° SE FairChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 5.6 mi157° SSE StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 5.6 mi157° SSE StrongChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 5.6 mi157° SSE StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 5.6 mi157° SSE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 5.6 mi157° SSE StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 5.6 mi157° SSE StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 5.6 mi157° SSE GoodChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 5.6 mi157° SSE StrongChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 5.6 mi157° SSE StrongChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in North Center

North Center, Illinois has a population of about 34,600. 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 27 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 28 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 4 farther 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 best-placed network stations 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 North Center

Point your antenna SSE, at about 157°. The main network towers for North Center sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WGBO-DT, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV and WWME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 4.8 miles southeast of North Center (143° SE). 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 North Center at fair strength or better, all arrive from the southeast, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for North Center

The farthest main network tower for North Center is WBBM-TV (CBS), 5.6 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

WGBO-DT is only 4.8 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 North Center

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WWTO-TVFull power4.8 mi 143° SEGoodNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A4.8 mi 143° SEGoodChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power4.8 mi 143° SEGoodChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power4.8 mi 143° SEGoodChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power4.8 mi 143° SEGoodArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A4.8 mi 143° SEGoodSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power4.8 mi 143° SEGoodChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A4.8 mi 143° SEGoodChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A4.8 mi 143° SEGoodPlano, IL
WCHU-LDLow power5.2 mi 149° SSEGoodOakwood Hills, IL
WDCI-LDLow power5.6 mi 148° SSEGoodChicago, IL
WTTWFull power5.6 mi 157° SSEStrongChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power5.6 mi 157° SSEStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A5.6 mi 157° SSEFairArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A5.6 mi 157° SSEGoodChicago, IL
WJYSFull power5.6 mi 157° SSEStrongHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power5.6 mi 157° SSEStrongAurora, IL
WODN-LDLow power34 mi 132° SEWeakPortage, IN
WYINFull power44 mi 161° SSEGoodGary, IN
WAAA-LDLow power45 mi 131° SEPoorValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power50 mi 247° WSWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power50 mi 247° WSWPoorEarlville, IL
WYGN-LDLow power68 mi 89° EPoorBerrien Springs, MI

How North Center compares with the rest of Illinois

With 29 stations at fair strength or better, North Center ranks 17th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 4.8 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 Logan Square, 2.4 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in North Center: 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 157° SSE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 5.6 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 North Center, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 5.6 miles SSE of North Center. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in North Center, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 5.6 miles SSE of North Center. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in North Center, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 5.6 miles SSE of North Center. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in North Center, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 5.6 miles SSE of North Center. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in North Center, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 5.6 miles SSE of North Center. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in North Center?

34 transmitters within 70 miles of North Center; 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 North Center?

Point your antenna SSE, at about 157°. The main network towers for North Center sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in North Center?

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 North Center?

WGBO-DT is only 4.8 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 North Center?

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 North Center; signal estimates ignore terrain.