TV channels & antenna towers in Boone, Iowa
Boone has 16 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 KDIT-CD, 21 miles to the SE.
Network channels in Boone
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 21 mi | 139° SE | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 21 mi | 139° SE | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 22 mi | 142° SE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 22 mi | 142° SE | Good | Newton, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 22 mi | 142° SE | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 22 mi | 142° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Boone
With roughly 12,700 residents, Boone 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, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
9 of them are within 25 miles of Boone, 6 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 Boone
Point your antenna SE, at about 141°. The main network towers for Boone 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 21 miles southeast of Boone (139° SE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Boone at fair strength or better, all arrive from the southeast, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Boone, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Boone
The farthest main network tower for Boone is WHO-DT (NBC), 22 miles away with a fair 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.
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 Boone
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 | 21 mi | 139° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 21 mi | 139° SE | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 22 mi | 142° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 28 mi | 167° SSE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 34 mi | 117° ESE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 35 mi | 158° SSE | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 38 mi | 116° ESE | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 38 mi | 116° ESE | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 38 mi | 116° ESE | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KTINFull power | 59 mi | 333° NNW | Fair | Fort Dodge, IA |
How Boone compares with the rest of Iowa
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Boone ranks 109th of 285 places in Iowa: the same as the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 21 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 Ames, 13 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Boone: 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 142° SE, the direction of WHO-DT (NBC), 22 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 Boone, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 22 miles SE of Boone. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Boone, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 22 miles SE of Boone. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Boone, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 22 miles SE of Boone. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Boone, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 21 miles SE of Boone. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Boone, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 21 miles SE of Boone. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Boone?
16 transmitters within 70 miles of Boone; around 11 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 Boone?
Point your antenna SE, at about 141°. The main network towers for Boone sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Boone?
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 Boone?
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 Boone?
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
- Centerville3.6 mi
- Ames13 mi
- Story City17 mi
- Huxley18 mi
- Perry19 mi
- Nevada22 mi
- Jefferson26 mi
- Grimes26 mi
- Ankeny27 mi
- Johnston28 mi
- Webster City28 mi
- Waukee31 mi
- Urbandale31 mi
- Clive33 mi
- Fort Dodge34 mi
- West Des Moines34 mi
- Des Moines35 mi
- Altoona36 mi
- State Center37 mi
- Pleasant Hill38 mi
- Baxter41 mi
- Earlham41 mi
- Guthrie Center42 mi
- Norwalk42 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 Boone; signal estimates ignore terrain.