TV channels & antenna towers in Carter Lake, Iowa
Carter Lake has 18 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KOHA-LD (Telemundo), 4.9 miles to the SSW.
Network channels in Carter Lake
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLMKOHA-LDTelemundo | 27 | 4.9 mi | 202° SSW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| ABCKETVABC | 7 | 5.8 mi | 283° WNW | Strong | Omaha, NE |
| CBSKMTV-TVCBS | 3 | 5.8 mi | 281° WNW | Strong | Omaha, NE |
| NBCWOWTNBC | 6 | 5.8 mi | 284° WNW | Strong | Omaha, NE |
| CWKPTMCW | 42.3 | 22 mi | 227° SW | Strong | Omaha, NE |
| CWKCWH-LDCW | 18 | 51 mi | 230° SW | Poor | Lincoln, NE |
| FOXKFXL-TVFox | 51 | 53 mi | 223° SW | Weak | Lincoln, NE |
Over-the-air TV in Carter Lake
Carter Lake, Iowa has a population of about 3,790. Our map shows 18 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 10 full-power, 5 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 11 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 4 farther out. Five of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Omaha, NE, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Omaha's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 7 (KETV), CBS on channel 3 (KMTV-TV), NBC on channel 6 (WOWT), Fox on channel 51 (KFXL-TV), CW on channel 42.3 (KPTM) and Telemundo on channel 27 (KOHA-LD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal). 5 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 Carter Lake
Point your antenna WNW, at about 283°. The main network towers for Carter Lake sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, KETV, KMTV-TV and WOWT, transmit from the same tower site about 5.8 miles west of Carter Lake (283° WNW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Carter Lake at fair strength or better, 75% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Carter Lake, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Carter Lake
The farthest main network tower for Carter Lake is WOWT (NBC), 5.8 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here.
KFXL-TV (Fox), 53 miles southwest, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
KBIN-TV is only 5.0 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 Carter Lake
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KQMK-LDLow power | 4.9 mi | 202° SSW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| KBIN-TVFull power | 5.0 mi | 120° ESE | Strong | Council Bluffs, IA |
| KYNE-TVFull power | 5.8 mi | 283° WNW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| K24GO-DTranslator | 20 mi | 326° NW | Poor | Blair, NE |
| KXVOFull power | 22 mi | 227° SW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| KAJS-LDLow power | 23 mi | 230° SW | Fair | Lincoln, NE |
| K36QD-DTranslator | 27 mi | 284° WNW | Weak | Omaha, NE |
| KUON-TVFull power | 30 mi | 250° WSW | Fair | Lincoln, NE |
| KHINFull power | 35 mi | 84° E | Good | Red Oak, IA |
| K34IB-DTranslator | 52 mi | 341° NNW | Poor | Decatur, NE |
| KFDY-LDLow power | 53 mi | 223° SW | Poor | Lincoln, NE |
How Carter Lake compares with the rest of Iowa
With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Carter Lake ranks 84th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 4.9 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 Omaha, 2.6 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Carter Lake: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 284° WNW, the direction of WOWT (NBC), 5.8 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 12 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 Carter Lake, IA?
ABC is on channel 7 from KETV, broadcasting from 5.8 miles WNW of Carter Lake. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Carter Lake, IA?
CBS is on channel 3 from KMTV-TV, broadcasting from 5.8 miles WNW of Carter Lake. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Carter Lake, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from WOWT, broadcasting from 5.8 miles WNW of Carter Lake. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Carter Lake, IA?
Fox is on channel 51 from KFXL-TV, broadcasting from 53 miles SW of Carter Lake. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CW in Carter Lake, IA?
CW is on channel 42.3 from KPTM, broadcasting from 22 miles SW of Carter Lake. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Carter Lake?
18 transmitters within 70 miles of Carter Lake; around 12 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 Carter Lake?
Point your antenna WNW, at about 283°. The main network towers for Carter Lake sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Carter Lake?
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. Picking up Fox from up to 53 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Carter Lake?
KFXL-TV (Fox), 53 miles southwest, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Carter Lake?
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
- Council Bluffs3.6 mi
- Missouri Valley18 mi
- Glenwood19 mi
- Oakland27 mi
- Avoca33 mi
- Harlan40 mi
- Sidney40 mi
- Red Oak41 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Omaha, NE2.6 mi
- Ralston, NE8.7 mi
- La Vista, NE9.4 mi
- Bellevue, NE11 mi
- Papillion, NE11 mi
- Chalco, NE14 mi
- Elkhorn, NE16 mi
- Plattsmouth, NE19 mi
- Gretna, NE20 mi
- Blair, NE21 mi
- Ashland, NE29 mi
- Fremont, NE32 mi
- Wahoo, NE37 mi
- Tekamah, NE37 mi
- Waverly, NE41 mi
- Nebraska City, NE43 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 Carter Lake; signal estimates ignore terrain.