TV channels & antenna towers in Port Barrington, Illinois
Port Barrington has 56 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 23 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWTO-TV, 38 miles to the SE.
Network channels in Port Barrington
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIWGBO-DTUnivision | 66 | 38 mi | 128° SE | Good | Joliet, IL |
| IONKPDS-LDION | 49.4 | 38 mi | 128° SE | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| FOXWFLDFox | 32 | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| NBCWMAQ-TVNBC | 5 | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo | 44 | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| MeTVWWME-CDMeTV | 23.1 | 38 mi | 131° SE | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV | 26.3 | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| CWWGN-TVCW | 9 | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| CBSWBBM-TVCBS | 2 | 38 mi | 131° SE | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| IONWCPX-TVION | 38 | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| ABCWLS-TVABC | 7 | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| FOXWQRF-TVFox | 39 | 50 mi | 274° W | Fair | Rockford, IL |
| ABCWTVOABC | 17 | 50 mi | 274° W | Fair | Rockford, IL |
| TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo | 23 | 50 mi | 275° W | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CBSWIFR-LDCBS | 23 | 50 mi | 275° W | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CWWSLNCW | 19 | 50 mi | 275° W | Weak | Freeport, IL |
| NBCWREXNBC | 13 | 53 mi | 274° W | Weak | Rockford, IL |
| NBCWTMJ-TVNBC | 4 | 61 mi | 14° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| IONWPXE-TVION | 55 | 61 mi | 15° NNE | Fair | Kenosha, WI |
| FOXWITIFox | 6 | 61 mi | 15° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| CWWVTVCW | 18 | 61 mi | 14° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| MeTVWBME-CDMeTV | 41.1 | 62 mi | 13° NNE | Poor | Milwaukee, WI |
| CBSWDJT-TVCBS | 58 | 62 mi | 13° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| TLMWYTU-LDTelemundo | 63 | 62 mi | 13° NNE | Poor | Milwaukee, WI |
| ABCWISN-TVABC | 12 | 62 mi | 13° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Port Barrington
Port Barrington, Illinois has a population of about 1,500. Our map shows 56 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 29 full-power, 9 Class A, 17 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 23 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 30 between 25 and 45 miles, and 26 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.
Which way to point your antenna in Port Barrington
Point your antenna SE, at about 131°. The main network towers for Port Barrington 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 38 miles southeast of Port Barrington (128° SE). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 17 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Port Barrington at fair strength or better, 53% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Port Barrington, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Port Barrington
The farthest main network tower for Port Barrington is WLS-TV (ABC), 38 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
WDJT-TV (CBS), 62 miles north, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
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 Port Barrington
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 31; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WWTO-TVFull power | 38 mi | 128° SE | Fair | Naperville, IL |
| WOCK-CDClass A | 38 mi | 128° SE | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| W31EZ-DLow power | 38 mi | 128° SE | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WESV-LDLow power | 38 mi | 128° SE | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WRJK-LDLow power | 38 mi | 128° SE | Poor | Arlington Heights, IL |
| W27EB-DClass A | 38 mi | 128° SE | Weak | Sugar Grove, IL |
| WRME-LDLow power | 38 mi | 128° SE | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| WPVN-CDClass A | 38 mi | 128° SE | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WLPD-CDClass A | 38 mi | 128° SE | Weak | Plano, IL |
| WCHU-LDLow power | 38 mi | 129° SE | Poor | Oakwood Hills, IL |
| WTTWFull power | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Chicago, IL |
| WPWR-TVFull power | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Gary, IN |
| WEDE-CDClass A | 38 mi | 131° SE | Weak | Arlington Heights, IL |
| WMEU-CDClass A | 38 mi | 131° SE | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WJYSFull power | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Hammond, IN |
| WXFT-DTFull power | 38 mi | 131° SE | Good | Aurora, IL |
| WDCI-LDLow power | 39 mi | 129° SE | Poor | Chicago, IL |
| WAUR-LDLow power | 44 mi | 206° SSW | Poor | Aurora, IL |
| WSPY-LDLow power | 44 mi | 206° SSW | Poor | Earlville, IL |
| WDMW-LDLow power | 50 mi | 1° N | Poor | Milwaukee, WI |
| WTAS-LDLow power | 50 mi | 1° N | Poor | Waukesha, WI |
| W35DY-DTranslator | 55 mi | 296° WNW | Poor | Stoughton, WI |
| WVCY-TVFull power | 61 mi | 15° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMKE-CDClass A | 61 mi | 14° NNE | Poor | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMVSFull power | 61 mi | 14° NNE | Weak | Milwaukee, WI |
How Port Barrington compares with the rest of Illinois
With 23 stations at fair strength or better, Port Barrington ranks 251st of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 38 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 Crystal Lake, 5.8 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Port Barrington: 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 131° SE, the direction of WLS-TV (ABC), 38 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 23 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 Port Barrington, IL?
ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 38 miles SE of Port Barrington. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Port Barrington, IL?
CBS is on channel 58 from WDJT-TV, broadcasting from 62 miles NNE of Port Barrington. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Port Barrington, IL?
NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 38 miles SE of Port Barrington. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Port Barrington, IL?
Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 38 miles SE of Port Barrington. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Port Barrington, IL?
CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 38 miles SE of Port Barrington. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Port Barrington?
56 transmitters within 70 miles of Port Barrington; around 23 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 Port Barrington?
Point your antenna SE, at about 131°. The main network towers for Port Barrington sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Port Barrington?
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. Picking up CBS from up to 62 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Port Barrington?
WDJT-TV (CBS), 62 miles north, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Port Barrington?
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
- Island Lake2.4 mi
- Cary2.8 mi
- Wauconda3.4 mi
- Crystal Lake5.8 mi
- Lakemoor6.0 mi
- Lake Zurich6.4 mi
- Barrington7.0 mi
- McHenry7.1 mi
- Algonquin7.1 mi
- Fairfield7.4 mi
- Lake in the Hills7.8 mi
- Hawthorn Woods8.0 mi
- Carpentersville8.9 mi
- Round Lake9.5 mi
- Johnsburg9.7 mi
- Inverness10 mi
- Round Lake Park10 mi
- Mundelein10 mi
- Round Lake Beach11 mi
- Fox Lake11 mi
- Grayslake11 mi
- West Dundee11 mi
- Long Grove11 mi
- Vernon Hills11 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 Port Barrington; signal estimates ignore terrain.