TV channels & antenna towers in Ames, Iowa
Ames has 17 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KDIT-CD, 14 miles to the S.
Network channels in Ames
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 14 mi | 179° S | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 14 mi | 179° S | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 16 mi | 180° S | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 16 mi | 180° S | Good | Newton, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 16 mi | 179° S | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 16 mi | 179° S | Good | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Ames
Ames, Iowa has a population of about 65,100. There are 17 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 9 full-power, 2 Class A, 5 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
10 of them are within 25 miles of Ames, 5 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 2 are 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 best-placed network stations 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 Ames
Point your antenna S, at about 179°. The main network towers for Ames sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KCWI-TV, KDSM-TV, KCCI, KFPX-TV and WOI-DT and others, transmit from the same tower site about 14 miles south of Ames (179° S). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Ames at fair strength or better, all arrive from the south, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Ames, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Ames
The farthest main network tower for Ames is WHO-DT (NBC), 16 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
KDSM-TV is only 14 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 Ames
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDIT-CDClass A | 14 mi | 179° S | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 14 mi | 179° S | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 16 mi | 179° S | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 22 mi | 128° SE | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 26 mi | 125° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 26 mi | 125° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 26 mi | 125° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 27 mi | 195° SSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 31 mi | 181° S | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K17MH-DLow power | 63 mi | 40° NE | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KTINFull power | 67 mi | 324° NW | Weak | Fort Dodge, IA |
How Ames compares with the rest of Iowa
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Ames ranks 50th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 14 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 Des Moines, 30 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Ames: 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 179° S, the direction of WHO-DT (NBC), 16 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 14 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 Ames, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 16 miles S of Ames. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Ames, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 16 miles S of Ames. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Ames, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 16 miles S of Ames. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Ames, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles S of Ames. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Ames, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles S of Ames. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Ames?
17 transmitters within 70 miles of Ames; around 14 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 Ames?
Point your antenna S, at about 179°. The main network towers for Ames sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Ames?
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 Ames?
KDSM-TV is only 14 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 Ames?
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
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More: all TV stations in Iowa · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Ames; signal estimates ignore terrain.