TV channels & antenna towers in Ankeny, Iowa
Ankeny has 15 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 15 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WOI-DT (ABC), 5.5 miles to the N.
Network channels in Ankeny
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 5.5 mi | 355° N | Good | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 5.5 mi | 355° N | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 5.6 mi | 352° N | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 5.6 mi | 352° N | Strong | Newton, IA |
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 6.9 mi | 356° N | Strong | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 6.9 mi | 356° N | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Ankeny
Ankeny, Iowa has a population of about 56,800. There are 15 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 8 full-power, 2 Class A, 4 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 15 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 11 at good or strong strength.
15 of them are within 25 miles of Ankeny, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 0 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.
For the networks, the best local options 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). 2 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 Ankeny
Point your antenna N, at about 354°. The main network towers for Ankeny sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, WOI-DT, WHO-DT, KCCI, KFPX-TV and KCWI-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 5.5 miles north of Ankeny (355° N). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Ankeny at fair strength or better, all arrive from the north, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Ankeny, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Ankeny
The farthest main network tower for Ankeny is KDSM-TV (Fox), 6.9 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
KFPX-TV is only 5.6 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 Ankeny
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDIN-TVFull power | 5.5 mi | 355° N | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 6.9 mi | 356° N | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 6.9 mi | 356° N | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 9.0 mi | 240° WSW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 9.9 mi | 186° S | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 18 mi | 66° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 21 mi | 73° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 21 mi | 73° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 21 mi | 73° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
How Ankeny compares with the rest of Iowa
With 15 stations at fair strength or better, Ankeny ranks 25th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 5.5 miles away, against a state median of 34 miles.
13% of Iowa's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Des Moines, 8.9 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Ankeny: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 356° N, the direction of KDSM-TV (Fox), 6.9 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 15 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 Ankeny, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 5.5 miles N of Ankeny. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Ankeny, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 5.6 miles N of Ankeny. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Ankeny, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 5.5 miles N of Ankeny. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Ankeny, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 6.9 miles N of Ankeny. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Ankeny, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 6.9 miles N of Ankeny. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Ankeny?
15 transmitters within 70 miles of Ankeny; around 15 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Ankeny?
Point your antenna N, at about 354°. The main network towers for Ankeny sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Ankeny?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Ankeny?
KFPX-TV is only 5.6 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 Ankeny?
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
- Johnston6.2 mi
- Des Moines8.9 mi
- Urbandale9.0 mi
- Altoona9.4 mi
- Grimes10.0 mi
- Clive11 mi
- Pleasant Hill11 mi
- Huxley11 mi
- West Des Moines12 mi
- Waukee17 mi
- Norwalk18 mi
- Ames21 mi
- Nevada22 mi
- Baxter24 mi
- Indianola26 mi
- Boone27 mi
- Perry27 mi
- Newton29 mi
- Pleasantville29 mi
- Monroe30 mi
- State Center30 mi
- Centerville30 mi
- Earlham31 mi
- Story City32 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 Ankeny; signal estimates ignore terrain.