TV channels & antenna towers in Clinton, Iowa
Clinton has 19 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 KWQC-TV (NBC), 25 miles to the SW.
Network channels in Clinton
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 25 mi | 216° SW | Strong | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 25 mi | 216° SW | Fair | Rock Island, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 37 mi | 195° SSW | Good | Burlington, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 38 mi | 195° SSW | Good | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 38 mi | 195° SSW | Good | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 38 mi | 195° SSW | Fair | Galesburg, IL |
| NBCWREXNBC | 13 | 58 mi | 57° ENE | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| FOXWQRF-TVFox | 39 | 61 mi | 59° ENE | Weak | Rockford, IL |
| ABCWTVOABC | 17 | 61 mi | 59° ENE | Weak | Rockford, IL |
| TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo | 23 | 61 mi | 59° ENE | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CBSWIFR-LDCBS | 23 | 61 mi | 59° ENE | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CWWSLNCW | 19 | 61 mi | 59° ENE | Poor | Freeport, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Clinton
Clinton is a town of about 26,100 people in Iowa. There are 19 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 15 full-power and 4 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 10 between 25 and 45 miles, and 9 farther out. Five of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Rockford, IL, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rockford's stations.
For the networks, the best local options 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), Telemundo on channel 23 (WFBN-LD) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (very weak 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 Clinton
Point your antenna SSW, at about 206°. The main network towers for Clinton sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Four network stations, KGCW, KLJB, WQAD-TV and WMWC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 37 miles south of Clinton (195° SSW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Clinton at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Clinton, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Clinton
The farthest main network tower for Clinton is KLJB (Fox), 38 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.
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 Clinton
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W27EJ-DLow power | 30 mi | 83° E | Fair | Sterling, IL |
| K33QA-DLow power | 34 mi | 227° SW | Weak | Davenport, IA |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 38 mi | 195° SSW | Good | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 38 mi | 195° SSW | Good | Davenport, IA |
| KFXB-TVFull power | 52 mi | 335° NNW | Good | Dubuque, IA |
| KIINFull power | 60 mi | 262° W | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 61 mi | 263° W | Good | Iowa City, IA |
How Clinton compares with the rest of Iowa
With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Clinton ranks 84th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 25 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 Davenport, 30 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Clinton: 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 195° SSW, the direction of KLJB (Fox), 38 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 Clinton, IA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 38 miles SSW of Clinton. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Clinton, IA?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles SW of Clinton. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Clinton, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles SW of Clinton. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Clinton, IA?
Fox is on channel 18 from KLJB, broadcasting from 38 miles SSW of Clinton. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Clinton, IA?
CW is on channel 26 from KGCW, broadcasting from 37 miles SSW of Clinton. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Clinton?
19 transmitters within 70 miles of Clinton; around 12 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 Clinton?
Point your antenna SSW, at about 206°. The main network towers for Clinton sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Clinton?
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 Clinton?
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 Clinton?
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
Nearby cities in other states
- Morrison, IL12 mi
- Savanna, IL17 mi
- Prophetstown, IL18 mi
- Sterling, IL26 mi
- Silvis, IL26 mi
- Rock Falls, IL26 mi
- Colona, IL26 mi
- East Moline, IL27 mi
- Geneseo, IL27 mi
- Georgetown, IL28 mi
- Moline, IL29 mi
- Rock Island, IL31 mi
- Milan, IL34 mi
- Stockton, IL36 mi
- Dixon, IL37 mi
- Walnut, IL37 mi
- Cambridge, IL37 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 Clinton; signal estimates ignore terrain.