TV channels & antenna towers in Allison, Iowa
Allison has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K17MH-D, 1.8 miles to the SSW.
Network channels in Allison
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKIMTCBS | 3 | 50 mi | 5° N | Good | Mason City, IA |
| NBCKWWLNBC | 7 | 54 mi | 116° ESE | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| IONKPXR-TVION | 48 | 56 mi | 124° SE | Fair | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKCRG-TVCW | 9.3 | 56 mi | 122° ESE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| FOXKGANFox | 2.2 | 56 mi | 122° ESE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKTTCCW | 10.2 | 59 mi | 18° NNE | Fair | Rochester, MN |
| ABCKAALABC | 6 | 63 mi | 12° NNE | Fair | Austin, MN |
| FOXKXLT-TVFox | 47 | 63 mi | 12° NNE | Weak | Rochester, MN |
Over-the-air TV in Allison
Allison is a small community of about 1,030 people in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 25 licensed TV transmitters: 12 full-power, 10 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 6 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 21 farther out. Three of the 8 network stations in range are licensed to Cedar Rapids, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Cedar Rapids's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 6 (KAAL), CBS on channel 3 (KIMT), NBC on channel 7 (KWWL), Fox on channel 2.2 (KGAN), CW on channel 9.3 (KCRG-TV) and ION on channel 48 (KPXR-TV). 4 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 Allison
The main network towers around Allison are in different directions: ABC 12° NNE (63 mi), CBS 5° N (50 mi), NBC 116° ESE (54 mi) and Fox 122° ESE (56 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Three network stations, KPXR-TV, KCRG-TV and KGAN, transmit from the same tower site about 56 miles southeast of Allison (124° SE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Allison at fair strength or better, 57% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
KAAL (ABC) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Allison. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Allison
The farthest main network tower for Allison is KAAL (ABC), 63 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.
K17MH-D is only 1.8 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 Allison
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 | 1.8 mi | 207° SSW | Strong | Cedar Falls, IA |
| K30QY-DLow power | 33 mi | 332° NNW | Weak | Mason City, IA |
| K22LJ-DLow power | 33 mi | 332° NNW | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| K35PA-DLow power | 33 mi | 332° NNW | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| KYINFull power | 50 mi | 5° N | Good | Mason City, IA |
| KRINFull power | 56 mi | 122° ESE | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| KFKZ-LDLow power | 57 mi | 124° SE | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KFXAFull power | 58 mi | 141° SE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| KSMQ-TVFull power | 63 mi | 12° NNE | Weak | Austin, MN |
| K35PC-DLow power | 63 mi | 12° NNE | Poor | Rochester, MN |
| K27OW-DTranslator | 64 mi | 358° N | Poor | Rochester, MN |
| K25PE-DTranslator | 65 mi | 52° NE | Poor | Decorah, IA |
| K30RA-DLow power | 67 mi | 5° N | Poor | Dexter, MN |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 68 mi | 198° SSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 68 mi | 198° SSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 68 mi | 198° SSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 68 mi | 202° SSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
How Allison compares with the rest of Iowa
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Allison ranks 109th of 285 places in Iowa: the same as the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 50 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, 24 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Allison: 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 12° NNE, the direction of KAAL (ABC), 63 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 11 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 Allison, IA?
ABC is on channel 6 from KAAL, broadcasting from 63 miles NNE of Allison. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Allison, IA?
CBS is on channel 3 from KIMT, broadcasting from 50 miles N of Allison. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Allison, IA?
NBC is on channel 7 from KWWL, broadcasting from 54 miles ESE of Allison. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Allison, IA?
Fox is on channel 2.2 from KGAN, broadcasting from 56 miles ESE of Allison. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Allison, IA?
CW is on channel 9.3 from KCRG-TV, broadcasting from 56 miles ESE of Allison. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Allison?
25 transmitters within 70 miles of Allison; around 11 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 Allison?
The main network towers around Allison are in different directions: ABC 12° NNE (63 mi), CBS 5° N (50 mi), NBC 116° ESE (54 mi) and Fox 122° ESE (56 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Allison?
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 117° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Allison?
K17MH-D is only 1.8 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 Allison?
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
- Clarksville6.8 mi
- Greene9.9 mi
- Parkersburg12 mi
- Waverly16 mi
- Ackley19 mi
- Nashua19 mi
- Hampton21 mi
- Dike22 mi
- Charles City23 mi
- Sheffield23 mi
- Cedar Falls24 mi
- Grundy Center27 mi
- Iowa Falls28 mi
- Nora Springs29 mi
- Waterloo29 mi
- Eldora31 mi
- New Hampton32 mi
- Mason City34 mi
- Oakland35 mi
- Sumner36 mi
- Conrad37 mi
- Osage37 mi
- Clear Lake40 mi
- Belmond42 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 Allison; signal estimates ignore terrain.