TV channels & antenna towers in Porter, Indiana

Porter has 41 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 27 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WODN-LD, 6.1 miles to the W.

41TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
6.1 mito the closest tower
4,879population

Network channels in Porter

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 34 mi302° WNW FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 34 mi302° WNW GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 34 mi302° WNW GoodChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 34 mi302° WNW GoodChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 34 mi302° WNW GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 34 mi302° WNW GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 34 mi302° WNW FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 34 mi302° WNW GoodChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 34 mi302° WNW GoodChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 34 mi305° NW GoodJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 34 mi305° NW PoorChicago, IL
FOXWSBT-TVFox22.2 44 mi90° E GoodSouth Bend, IN
NBCWNDU-TVNBC16 45 mi91° E GoodSouth Bend, IN
CWWCWW-LDCW25 46 mi90° E PoorSouth Bend, IN
ABCWBND-LDABC57 46 mi90° E PoorSouth Bend, IN
TLMWMYS-LDTelemundo69.2 46 mi90° E PoorSouth Bend, IN
UNIWHME-TVUnivision46 47 mi91° E GoodSouth Bend, IN

Over-the-air TV in Porter

Porter is a town of about 4,880 people in Indiana. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 41 licensed TV transmitters: 20 full-power, 7 Class A and 14 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 27 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 18 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 32 between 25 and 45 miles, and 6 farther out. Ten of the 17 network stations in range are licensed to Chicago, IL, 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 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 (good signal) and Univision (good signal). 8 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 Porter

Point your antenna WNW, at about 302°. The main network towers for Porter sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WBBM-TV, WCPX-TV, WLS-TV, WFLD and WMAQ-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 34 miles northwest of Porter (302° WNW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 13 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Porter at fair strength or better, 77% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Porter

The farthest main network tower for Porter is WFLD (Fox), 34 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

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 Porter

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WODN-LDLow power6.1 mi 276° WFairPortage, IN
WAAA-LDLow power7.0 mi 158° SSEGoodValparaiso, IN
WYINFull power25 mi 223° SWGoodGary, IN
WDCI-LDLow power34 mi 304° WNWWeakChicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power34 mi 304° NWPoorOakwood Hills, IL
WJYSFull power34 mi 302° WNWGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power34 mi 302° WNWGoodAurora, IL
WTTWFull power34 mi 302° WNWGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power34 mi 302° WNWGoodGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A34 mi 302° WNWWeakArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A34 mi 302° WNWFairChicago, IL
WWTO-TVFull power34 mi 305° NWFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A34 mi 305° NWWeakChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power34 mi 305° NWWeakChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power34 mi 305° NWWeakChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power34 mi 305° NWWeakArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A34 mi 305° NWFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power34 mi 305° NWPoorChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A34 mi 305° NWFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A34 mi 305° NWFairPlano, IL
WSJVFull power44 mi 90° EGoodElkhart, IN
WYGN-LDLow power44 mi 57° ENEPoorBerrien Springs, MI
WNITFull power46 mi 90° EFairSouth Bend, IN
WEID-LDLow power53 mi 85° EPoorSouth Bend, IN

How Porter compares with the rest of Indiana

With 27 stations at fair strength or better, Porter ranks 10th of 352 places in Indiana: more than the typical Indiana town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 34 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.

51% of Indiana's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Portage, 5.9 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Porter: 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 302° WNW, the direction of WFLD (Fox), 34 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 27 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 Porter, IN?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 34 miles WNW of Porter. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Porter, IN?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 34 miles WNW of Porter. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Porter, IN?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 34 miles WNW of Porter. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Porter, IN?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 34 miles WNW of Porter. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Porter, IN?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 34 miles WNW of Porter. Estimated signal: good.

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

41 transmitters within 70 miles of Porter; around 27 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 Porter?

Point your antenna WNW, at about 302°. The main network towers for Porter sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Porter?

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.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Porter?

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.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Porter?

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 Indiana cities

Nearby cities in other states

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