RCA Signal Finder

TV channels & antenna towers in West Town, Illinois

West Town has 34 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 29 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WTTW, 2.2 miles to the ESE.

Open West Town in the live finder
34TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
2.2 mito the closest tower
86,429population

Network channels in West Town

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 2.2 mi117° ESE StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 2.2 mi117° ESE StrongChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 2.2 mi117° ESE StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 2.2 mi117° ESE StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 2.2 mi117° ESE StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 2.2 mi117° ESE StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 2.3 mi117° ESE StrongChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 2.3 mi117° ESE StrongChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 2.3 mi117° ESE StrongChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 2.7 mi82° E StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 2.7 mi82° E FairChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in West Town

West Town, Illinois has a population of about 86,400. Our map shows 34 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 15 full-power, 7 Class A and 12 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 29 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 28 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 28 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 3 farther out. Ten of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Chicago, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Chicago's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 7 (WLS-TV), CBS on channel 2 (WBBM-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 (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 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 West Town

Point your antenna ESE, at about 117°. The main network towers for West Town sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV, WWME-CD and WCIU-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 2.2 miles southeast of West Town (117° ESE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach West Town at fair strength or better, 90% 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 West Town, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for West Town

The farthest main network tower for West Town is WBBM-TV (CBS), 2.3 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

WTTW is only 2.2 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 West Town

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WTTWFull power2.2 mi 117° ESEStrongChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power2.2 mi 117° ESEStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A2.2 mi 117° ESEGoodArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A2.2 mi 117° ESEStrongChicago, IL
WJYSFull power2.3 mi 117° ESEStrongHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power2.3 mi 117° ESEStrongAurora, IL
WCHU-LDLow power2.5 mi 97° EGoodOakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power2.7 mi 82° EStrongNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A2.7 mi 82° EGoodChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power2.7 mi 82° EStrongChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power2.7 mi 82° EStrongChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power2.7 mi 82° EGoodArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A2.7 mi 82° EStrongSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power2.7 mi 82° EGoodChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A2.7 mi 82° EStrongChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A2.7 mi 82° EStrongPlano, IL
WDCI-LDLow power2.8 mi 102° ESEStrongChicago, IL
WODN-LDLow power31 mi 127° SEWeakPortage, IN
WYINFull power40 mi 159° SSEGoodGary, IN
WAAA-LDLow power42 mi 127° SEPoorValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power49 mi 252° WSWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power49 mi 252° WSWPoorEarlville, IL
WYGN-LDLow power68 mi 86° EPoorBerrien Springs, MI

How West Town compares with the rest of Illinois

With 29 stations at fair strength or better, West Town ranks 17th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 2.2 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

28% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Chicago, 3.3 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in West Town: step by step

  1. Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
  2. Point it toward 117° ESE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 2.3 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 29 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 West Town, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 2.3 miles ESE of West Town. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in West Town, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 2.3 miles ESE of West Town. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in West Town, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 2.2 miles ESE of West Town. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in West Town, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 2.2 miles ESE of West Town. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in West Town, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 2.2 miles ESE of West Town. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in West Town?

34 transmitters within 70 miles of West Town; around 29 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 West Town?

Point your antenna ESE, at about 117°. The main network towers for West Town sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in West Town?

Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in West Town?

WTTW is only 2.2 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 West Town?

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 West Town; signal estimates ignore terrain.