TV channels & antenna towers in Vandalia, Illinois

Vandalia 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 ENE.

Open Vandalia in the live finder

25TV transmitters within 70 miles

5networks over the air

26 mito the closest tower

7,112population

Network channels in Vandalia

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
ABCWICSABC	20	61 mi	342° NNW	Fair	Springfield, IL
FOXWRSP-TVFox	55	61 mi	342° NNW	Fair	Springfield, IL
CWWBUICW	23	70 mi	11° NNE	Weak	Decatur, IL
NBCWANDNBC	17	70 mi	11° NNE	Fair	Decatur, IL
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	70 mi	356° N	Poor	Springfield, IL

Over-the-air TV in Vandalia

Vandalia, Illinois has a population of about 7,110. Our map shows 25 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 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.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 22 farther 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 KMOV in St. Louis, MO, 71 miles to the southwest. 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 Vandalia

Point your antenna N, at about 351°. The main network towers for Vandalia 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 61 miles north of Vandalia (342° NNW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 3 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Vandalia at fair strength or better, all arrive from the north, so this is an easy place to aim.

WICS (ABC), WAND (NBC) and WRSP-TV (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Vandalia. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Vandalia

The farthest main network tower for Vandalia is WAND (NBC), 70 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

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 Vandalia

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	70° ENE	Poor	Effingham, IL
W29CI-DClass A	28 mi	170° S	Fair	Salem, IL
W33EK-DTranslator	43 mi	62° ENE	Poor	Effingham, IL
WXSL-LDLow power	51 mi	248° WSW	Poor	St. Louis, MO
WUSI-TVFull power	53 mi	99° E	Fair	Olney, IL
W36EX-DClass A	54 mi	267° W	Poor	Alton, IL
W23EW-DLow power	59 mi	337° NNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
WPXSFull power	59 mi	226° SW	Poor	Mount Vernon, IL
W09DL-DLow power	59 mi	226° SW	Poor	Mount Vernon, IL
WLEH-LDLow power	59 mi	226° SW	Poor	St., IL
WEIU-TVFull power	60 mi	45° NE	Poor	Charleston, IL
WSIU-TVFull power	60 mi	188° S	Weak	Carbondale, IL
WCIXFull power	62 mi	339° NNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
WEAE-LDLow power	63 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
KEFN-CDClass A	63 mi	249° WSW	Poor	St. Louis, MO
W31EH-DLow power	66 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
W27ES-DLow power	66 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
WSECFull power	68 mi	311° NW	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
W29ES-DTranslator	68 mi	311° NW	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
WLCF-LDLow power	69 mi	10° N	Poor	Decatur, IL

How Vandalia compares with the rest of Illinois

With 5 stations at fair strength or better, Vandalia ranks 748th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 61 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 Edwardsville, 47 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Vandalia: 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 11° NNE, the direction of WAND (NBC), 70 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 Vandalia, IL?

ABC is on channel 20 from WICS, broadcasting from 61 miles NNW of Vandalia. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Vandalia, IL?

NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 70 miles NNE of Vandalia. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is Fox in Vandalia, IL?

Fox is on channel 55 from WRSP-TV, broadcasting from 61 miles NNW of Vandalia. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CW in Vandalia, IL?

CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 70 miles NNE of Vandalia. Estimated signal: weak.

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

25 transmitters within 70 miles of Vandalia; 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 Vandalia?

Point your antenna N, at about 351°. The main network towers for Vandalia sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Vandalia?

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 Vandalia?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Vandalia?

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 Vandalia; signal estimates ignore terrain.