TV channels & antenna towers in Round Lake Heights, Illinois

Round Lake Heights has 55 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 WDMW-LD, 41 miles to the N.

55TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
41 mito the closest tower
2,718population

Network channels in Round Lake Heights

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 41 mi143° SE GoodJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 41 mi143° SE PoorChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 42 mi145° SE GoodChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 42 mi145° SE GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 42 mi145° SE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 42 mi145° SE WeakChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 42 mi145° SE GoodChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 42 mi145° SE GoodChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 42 mi145° SE FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 42 mi145° SE GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 42 mi145° SE GoodChicago, IL
IONWPXE-TVION55 50 mi12° NNE GoodKenosha, WI
FOXWITIFox6 50 mi12° NNE GoodMilwaukee, WI
NBCWTMJ-TVNBC4 50 mi12° NNE GoodMilwaukee, WI
CWWVTVCW18 51 mi11° NNE GoodMilwaukee, WI
MeTVWBME-CDMeTV41.1 51 mi10° N PoorMilwaukee, WI
CBSWDJT-TVCBS58 51 mi10° N GoodMilwaukee, WI
TLMWYTU-LDTelemundo63 51 mi10° N PoorMilwaukee, WI
ABCWISN-TVABC12 51 mi10° N GoodMilwaukee, WI
TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo23 55 mi264° W PoorRockford, IL
CBSWIFR-LDCBS23 55 mi264° W PoorRockford, IL
CWWSLNCW19 55 mi264° W WeakFreeport, IL
FOXWQRF-TVFox39 55 mi264° W WeakRockford, IL
ABCWTVOABC17 55 mi264° W WeakRockford, IL
NBCWREXNBC13 58 mi265° W PoorRockford, IL

Over-the-air TV in Round Lake Heights

Round Lake Heights is a town of about 2,720 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 55 licensed TV transmitters: 29 full-power, 9 Class A, 16 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 18 at good or strong strength.

0 of them are within 25 miles of Round Lake Heights, 30 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 25 are more than 45 miles 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 strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 7 (WLS-TV), CBS on channel 58 (WDJT-TV), NBC on channel 4 (WTMJ-TV), Fox on channel 32 (WFLD), CW on channel 18 (WVTV), ION on channel 55 (WPXE-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 Round Lake Heights

Point your antenna SE, at about 145°. The main network towers for Round Lake Heights 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 41 miles southeast of Round Lake Heights (143° SE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 15 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Round Lake Heights at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Round Lake Heights

The farthest main network tower for Round Lake Heights is WLS-TV (ABC), 42 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WDJT-TV (CBS), 51 miles north and WTMJ-TV (NBC), 50 miles north, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are 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 those.

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 Round Lake Heights

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 30; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WDMW-LDLow power41 mi 354° NPoorMilwaukee, WI
WTAS-LDLow power41 mi 354° NPoorWaukesha, WI
WWTO-TVFull power41 mi 143° SEFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A41 mi 143° SEPoorChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power41 mi 143° SEPoorChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power41 mi 143° SEPoorChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power41 mi 143° SEPoorArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A41 mi 143° SEWeakSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power41 mi 143° SEPoorChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A41 mi 143° SEWeakChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A41 mi 143° SEWeakPlano, IL
WCHU-LDLow power42 mi 144° SEPoorOakwood Hills, IL
WTTWFull power42 mi 145° SEGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power42 mi 145° SEGoodGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A42 mi 145° SEPoorArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A42 mi 145° SEWeakChicago, IL
WJYSFull power42 mi 145° SEFairHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power42 mi 145° SEGoodAurora, IL
WDCI-LDLow power42 mi 144° SEPoorChicago, IL
WVCY-TVFull power50 mi 12° NNEGoodMilwaukee, WI
WMKE-CDClass A51 mi 12° NNEPoorMilwaukee, WI
WMVSFull power51 mi 12° NNEFairMilwaukee, WI
WMVTFull power51 mi 12° NNEFairMilwaukee, WI
WTSJ-LDLow power51 mi 12° NNEPoorMilwaukee, WI
WIWNFull power51 mi 12° NNEWeakFond Du Lac, WI

How Round Lake Heights compares with the rest of Illinois

With 23 stations at fair strength or better, Round Lake Heights ranks 251st of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 41 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 Round Lake Beach, 0.9 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Round Lake Heights: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 145° SE, the direction of WLS-TV (ABC), 42 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 23 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 Round Lake Heights, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 42 miles SE of Round Lake Heights. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Round Lake Heights, IL?

CBS is on channel 58 from WDJT-TV, broadcasting from 51 miles N of Round Lake Heights. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Round Lake Heights, IL?

NBC is on channel 4 from WTMJ-TV, broadcasting from 50 miles NNE of Round Lake Heights. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Round Lake Heights, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 42 miles SE of Round Lake Heights. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Round Lake Heights, IL?

CW is on channel 18 from WVTV, broadcasting from 51 miles NNE of Round Lake Heights. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Round Lake Heights?

55 transmitters within 70 miles of Round Lake Heights; 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 Round Lake Heights?

Point your antenna SE, at about 145°. The main network towers for Round Lake Heights sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Round Lake Heights?

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 and NBC from up to 51 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Round Lake Heights?

WDJT-TV (CBS), 51 miles north and WTMJ-TV (NBC), 50 miles north, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are 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 those.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Round Lake Heights?

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

Nearby cities in other states

More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Round Lake Heights; signal estimates ignore terrain.