TV channels & antenna towers in Adel, Iowa
Adel has 16 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K32NM-D, 14 miles to the ENE.
Network channels in Adel
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 24 mi | 56° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 24 mi | 56° ENE | Good | Newton, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 25 mi | 57° ENE | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 25 mi | 57° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 26 mi | 54° NE | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 26 mi | 54° NE | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Adel
With roughly 4,250 residents, Adel is a town in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 16 licensed TV transmitters: 9 full-power, 2 Class A, 4 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.
7 of them are within 25 miles of Adel, 8 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 1 is more than 45 miles out. Three of the 6 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.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 5 (WOI-DT), CBS on channel 8 (KCCI), NBC on channel 13 (WHO-DT), Fox on channel 17 (KDSM-TV), CW on channel 23 (KCWI-TV) and ION on channel 39 (KFPX-TV). 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 Adel
Point your antenna NE, at about 56°. The main network towers for Adel sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KCCI, KFPX-TV, WOI-DT, WHO-DT and KCWI-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 24 miles northeast of Adel (56° ENE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Adel at fair strength or better, all arrive from the northeast, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Adel, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Adel
The farthest main network tower for Adel is KDSM-TV (Fox), 26 miles away with a strong 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.
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 Adel
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K32NM-DLow power | 14 mi | 75° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 20 mi | 95° E | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 25 mi | 57° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 26 mi | 54° NE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 26 mi | 54° NE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 41 mi | 68° ENE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 44 mi | 71° ENE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 44 mi | 71° ENE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 44 mi | 71° ENE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KHINFull power | 67 mi | 254° WSW | Fair | Red Oak, IA |
How Adel compares with the rest of Iowa
With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Adel ranks 84th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 24 miles away, against a state median of 34 miles.
44% of Iowa's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Urbandale, 16 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Adel: 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 54° NE, the direction of KDSM-TV (Fox), 26 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 12 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 Adel, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 25 miles ENE of Adel. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Adel, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 24 miles ENE of Adel. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Adel, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 25 miles ENE of Adel. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Adel, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 26 miles NE of Adel. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Adel, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 26 miles NE of Adel. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Adel?
16 transmitters within 70 miles of Adel; around 12 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 Adel?
Point your antenna NE, at about 56°. The main network towers for Adel sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Adel?
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 Adel?
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 Adel?
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
- Waukee6.8 mi
- Earlham10 mi
- Grimes13 mi
- Clive15 mi
- Urbandale16 mi
- West Des Moines16 mi
- Perry16 mi
- Johnston17 mi
- Stuart17 mi
- Winterset20 mi
- Norwalk20 mi
- Des Moines21 mi
- Ankeny23 mi
- Guthrie Center25 mi
- Pleasant Hill26 mi
- Altoona29 mi
- Huxley29 mi
- Indianola30 mi
- Greenfield31 mi
- Boone32 mi
- Centerville33 mi
- Jefferson33 mi
- Ames36 mi
- Coon Rapids38 mi
More: all TV stations in Iowa · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Adel; signal estimates ignore terrain.