TV channels & antenna towers in Ackley, Iowa

Ackley has 27 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 16 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K17MH-D, 17 miles to the NE.

Open Ackley in the live finder

27TV transmitters within 70 miles

6networks over the air

17 mito the closest tower

1,560population

Network channels in Ackley

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
CWKCWI-TVCW	23	58 mi	210° SSW	Fair	Ames, IA
FOXKDSM-TVFox	17	58 mi	210° SSW	Good	Des Moines, IA
ABCWOI-DTABC	5	59 mi	209° SSW	Weak	Ames, IA
NBCWHO-DTNBC	13	59 mi	209° SSW	Fair	Des Moines, IA
CBSKCCICBS	8	59 mi	210° SSW	Fair	Des Moines, IA
IONKFPX-TVION	39	59 mi	210° SSW	Fair	Newton, IA
IONKPXR-TVION	48	62 mi	106° ESE	Fair	Cedar Rapids, IA
NBCKWWLNBC	7	63 mi	99° E	Fair	Waterloo, IA
CWKCRG-TVCW	9.3	63 mi	105° ESE	Good	Cedar Rapids, IA
FOXKGANFox	2.2	63 mi	105° ESE	Good	Cedar Rapids, IA
CBSKIMTCBS	3	66 mi	15° NNE	Fair	Mason City, IA

Over-the-air TV in Ackley

With roughly 1,560 residents, Ackley is a small community in Iowa. Our map shows 27 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 16 full-power, 1 Class A, 9 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 23 farther out. Three of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Des Moines, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Des Moines's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 5 (WOI-DT), CBS on channel 3 (KIMT), NBC on channel 7 (KWWL), Fox on channel 17 (KDSM-TV), CW on channel 9.3 (KCRG-TV) and ION on channel 39 (KFPX-TV). 5 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 Ackley

The main network towers around Ackley are in different directions: ABC 209° SSW (59 mi), CBS 15° NNE (66 mi), NBC 99° E (63 mi) and Fox 210° SSW (58 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Six network stations, KCWI-TV, KDSM-TV, WOI-DT, WHO-DT and KCCI and others, transmit from the same tower site about 58 miles southwest of Ackley (210° SSW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Ackley at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.

KIMT (CBS) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Ackley. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Ackley

The farthest main network tower for Ackley is KIMT (CBS), 66 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

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 Ackley

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
K17MH-DLow power	17 mi	45° NE	Fair	Cedar Falls, IA
K30QY-DLow power	42 mi	357° N	Poor	Mason City, IA
K22LJ-DLow power	42 mi	357° N	Poor	Mason City, IA
K35PA-DLow power	42 mi	357° N	Poor	Mason City, IA
K31PO-DTranslator	51 mi	193° SSW	Poor	Des Moines, IA
KAJR-LDLow power	51 mi	189° S	Poor	Des Moines, IA
KCYM-LDLow power	51 mi	189° S	Poor	Des Moines, IA
KRPG-LDLow power	51 mi	189° S	Poor	Des Moines, IA
KDIT-CDClass A	58 mi	210° SSW	Poor	Des Moines, IA
KDMIFull power	58 mi	210° SSW	Good	Des Moines, IA
KFXAFull power	59 mi	123° ESE	Good	Cedar Rapids, IA
KDIN-TVFull power	59 mi	209° SSW	Fair	Des Moines, IA
KFKZ-LDLow power	63 mi	107° ESE	Poor	Cedar Falls, IA
KRINFull power	63 mi	105° ESE	Fair	Waterloo, IA
KYINFull power	66 mi	15° NNE	Fair	Mason City, IA
KDIT-LDLow power	68 mi	302° WNW	Poor	Fort Dodge, IA

How Ackley compares with the rest of Iowa

With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Ackley ranks 13th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 58 miles away, against a state median of 34 miles.

44% of Iowa's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Cedar Falls, 31 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Ackley: 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 15° NNE, the direction of KIMT (CBS), 66 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 16 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 Ackley, IA?

ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 59 miles SSW of Ackley. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is CBS in Ackley, IA?

CBS is on channel 3 from KIMT, broadcasting from 66 miles NNE of Ackley. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Ackley, IA?

NBC is on channel 7 from KWWL, broadcasting from 63 miles E of Ackley. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is Fox in Ackley, IA?

Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 58 miles SSW of Ackley. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Ackley, IA?

CW is on channel 9.3 from KCRG-TV, broadcasting from 63 miles ESE of Ackley. Estimated signal: good.

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

27 transmitters within 70 miles of Ackley; around 16 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 Ackley?

What kind of antenna do I need in Ackley?

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. The towers are spread over about 195° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Ackley?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Ackley?

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 Iowa cities

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