TV channels & antenna towers in Ramsey, Illinois

Ramsey has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 5 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WEDK-LD, 26 miles to the E.

Open Ramsey in the live finder

25TV transmitters within 70 miles

5networks over the air

26 mito the closest tower

1,026population

Network channels in Ramsey

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
ABCWICSABC	20	49 mi	338° NNW	Good	Springfield, IL
FOXWRSP-TVFox	55	49 mi	338° NNW	Good	Springfield, IL
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	57 mi	357° N	Poor	Springfield, IL
CWWBUICW	23	57 mi	15° NNE	Good	Decatur, IL
NBCWANDNBC	17	58 mi	15° NNE	Good	Decatur, IL

Over-the-air TV in Ramsey

Ramsey, Illinois has a population of about 1,030. There are 25 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 10 full-power, 3 Class A, 10 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 5 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.

0 of them are within 25 miles of Ramsey, 3 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 22 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 5 network stations in range are licensed to Springfield, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Springfield's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 20 (WICS), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 55 (WRSP-TV), CW on channel 23 (WBUI) and ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WCIA in Champaign, IL, 75 miles to the northeast. 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 Ramsey

Point your antenna N, at about 350°. The main network towers for Ramsey sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Two network stations, WICS and WRSP-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 49 miles north of Ramsey (338° NNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Ramsey at fair strength or better, all arrive from the north, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Ramsey

The farthest main network tower for Ramsey is WAND (NBC), 58 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

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.

Other stations near Ramsey

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WEDK-LDLow power	26 mi	98° E	Poor	Effingham, IL
W33EK-DTranslator	40 mi	79° E	Poor	Effingham, IL
W29CI-DClass A	41 mi	172° S	Weak	Salem, IL
W23EW-DLow power	47 mi	332° NNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
WCIXFull power	50 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
WEAE-LDLow power	51 mi	329° NNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
WEIU-TVFull power	52 mi	55° NE	Weak	Charleston, IL
W31EH-DLow power	55 mi	329° NNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
W27ES-DLow power	55 mi	329° NNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
W36EX-DClass A	56 mi	254° WSW	Poor	Alton, IL
WUSI-TVFull power	57 mi	112° ESE	Fair	Olney, IL
WXSL-LDLow power	57 mi	235° SW	Poor	St. Louis, MO
WLCF-LDLow power	57 mi	13° NNE	Poor	Decatur, IL
WSECFull power	59 mi	303° WNW	Weak	Jacksonville, IL
W29ES-DTranslator	59 mi	303° WNW	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
WILL-TVFull power	66 mi	21° NNE	Poor	Urbana, IL
KEFN-CDClass A	68 mi	239° WSW	Poor	St. Louis, MO
WPXSFull power	68 mi	218° SW	Poor	Mount Vernon, IL
W09DL-DLow power	68 mi	218° SW	Poor	Mount Vernon, IL
WLEH-LDLow power	68 mi	218° SW	Poor	St., IL

How Ramsey compares with the rest of Illinois

With 5 stations at fair strength or better, Ramsey ranks 748th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 49 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 Decatur, 49 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Ramsey: step by step

Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
Point it toward 15° NNE, the direction of WAND (NBC), 58 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 5 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 Ramsey, IL?

ABC is on channel 20 from WICS, broadcasting from 49 miles NNW of Ramsey. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Ramsey, IL?

NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 58 miles NNE of Ramsey. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Ramsey, IL?

Fox is on channel 55 from WRSP-TV, broadcasting from 49 miles NNW of Ramsey. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Ramsey, IL?

CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 57 miles NNE of Ramsey. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Ramsey?

25 transmitters within 70 miles of Ramsey; around 5 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Ramsey?

Point your antenna N, at about 350°. The main network towers for Ramsey sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Ramsey?

Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Ramsey?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Ramsey?

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 Ramsey; signal estimates ignore terrain.