TV channels & antenna towers in Buffalo, Iowa

With roughly 1,300 residents, Buffalo is a small community in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 14 licensed TV transmitters: 11 full-power, 2 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 9 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 9 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 3 farther out. Two of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Davenport, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Davenport's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 8 (WQAD-TV), CBS on channel 4 (WHBF-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 18 (KLJB), CW on channel 26 (KGCW) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 4 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around Buffalo are in different directions: ABC 119° ESE (20 mi), CBS 64° ENE (14 mi), NBC 64° ENE (14 mi) and Fox 119° ESE (20 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Four network stations, KGCW, KLJB, WQAD-TV and WMWC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 20 miles southeast of Buffalo (116° ESE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Buffalo at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Buffalo, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

The farthest main network tower for Buffalo is KLJB (Fox), 20 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

KWQC-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.

With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Buffalo ranks 109th of 285 places in Iowa: the same as the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 14 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 Rock Island, 8.3 miles away.