TV channels & antenna towers in Tolono, Illinois

Tolono has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W27EL-D, 8.6 miles to the N.

Open Tolono in the live finder

25TV transmitters within 70 miles

6networks over the air

8.6 mito the closest tower

3,479population

Network channels in Tolono

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
CBSWCIACBS	3	13 mi	309° NW	Strong	Champaign, IL
ABCWICDABC	15	19 mi	72° ENE	Strong	Champaign, IL
FOXWCCUFox	27	19 mi	72° ENE	Good	Urbana, IL
NBCWANDNBC	17	30 mi	266° W	Good	Decatur, IL
CWWBUICW	23	31 mi	265° W	Good	Decatur, IL
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	48 mi	269° W	Poor	Springfield, IL
ABCWICSABC	20	65 mi	259° W	Fair	Springfield, IL
FOXWRSP-TVFox	55	65 mi	259° W	Fair	Springfield, IL
FOXWYZZ-TVFox	43	67 mi	314° NW	Weak	Bloomington, IL
CWWTWOCW	2.2	69 mi	138° SE	Weak	Terre Haute, IN
ABCWAWV-TVABC	38	69 mi	138° SE	Poor	Terre Haute, IN
FOXWTHI-TVFox	10.2	69 mi	138° SE	Poor	Terre Haute, IN

Over-the-air TV in Tolono

Tolono is a town of about 3,480 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 25 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 1 Class A, 8 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 7 transmitters are within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 13 farther out. Three of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Springfield, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Springfield's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 15 (WICD), CBS on channel 3 (WCIA), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 27 (WCCU), CW on channel 23 (WBUI) and ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD). 3 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 Tolono

The main network towers around Tolono are in different directions: ABC 72° ENE (19 mi), CBS 309° NW (13 mi), NBC 266° W (30 mi) and Fox 72° ENE (19 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Two network stations, WICD and WCCU, transmit from the same tower site about 19 miles east of Tolono (72° ENE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Tolono at fair strength or better, 57% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Tolono

The farthest main network tower for Tolono is WAND (NBC), 30 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

WCIA is only 13 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 Tolono

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
W27EL-DLow power	8.6 mi	8° N	Good	Champaign, IL
WBXC-CDClass A	8.7 mi	6° N	Good	Champaign/Urbana, IL
W07DD-DLow power	12 mi	351° N	Weak	Champaign, IL
WILL-TVFull power	22 mi	280° W	Fair	Urbana, IL
WEIU-TVFull power	29 mi	185° S	Good	Charleston, IL
W23EQ-DTranslator	31 mi	68° ENE	Weak	Danville, IL
WLCF-LDLow power	32 mi	266° W	Weak	Decatur, IL
W33EK-DTranslator	51 mi	187° S	Poor	Effingham, IL
WEDK-LDLow power	65 mi	198° SSW	Poor	Effingham, IL
WCIXFull power	68 mi	259° W	Poor	Springfield, IL
W19FD-DLow power	69 mi	138° SE	Poor	Terre Haute, IN
W24FB-DLow power	69 mi	138° SE	Poor	Brazil, IN
W23EW-DLow power	70 mi	257° WSW	Poor	Springfield, IL

How Tolono compares with the rest of Illinois

With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Tolono ranks 565th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 13 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 Urbana, 9.0 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Tolono: 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 266° W, the direction of WAND (NBC), 30 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 11 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 Tolono, IL?

ABC is on channel 15 from WICD, broadcasting from 19 miles ENE of Tolono. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Tolono, IL?

CBS is on channel 3 from WCIA, broadcasting from 13 miles NW of Tolono. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Tolono, IL?

NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 30 miles W of Tolono. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Tolono, IL?

Fox is on channel 27 from WCCU, broadcasting from 19 miles ENE of Tolono. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Tolono, IL?

CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 31 miles W of Tolono. Estimated signal: good.

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

25 transmitters within 70 miles of Tolono; around 11 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 Tolono?

What kind of antenna do I need in Tolono?

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. The towers are spread over about 167° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Tolono?

WCIA is only 13 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 Tolono?

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

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