TV channels & antenna towers in Colfax, Iowa
Colfax has 17 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 16 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KAJR-LD, 9.9 miles to the N.
Network channels in Colfax
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 21 mi | 296° WNW | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 21 mi | 296° WNW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 21 mi | 295° WNW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 21 mi | 295° WNW | Good | Newton, IA |
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 22 mi | 299° WNW | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 22 mi | 299° WNW | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Colfax
With roughly 2,050 residents, Colfax is a small community in Iowa. Our map shows 17 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 9 full-power, 2 Class A, 4 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 14 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 2 farther 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). 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 Colfax
Point your antenna WNW, at about 296°. The main network towers for Colfax 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 21 miles northwest of Colfax (296° WNW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Colfax at fair strength or better, all arrive from the northwest, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Colfax, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Colfax
The farthest main network tower for Colfax is KDSM-TV (Fox), 22 miles away with a strong 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 Colfax
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAJR-LDLow power | 9.9 mi | 11° N | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 9.9 mi | 11° N | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 9.9 mi | 11° N | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 11 mi | 350° N | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 21 mi | 252° WSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 21 mi | 296° WNW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 22 mi | 299° WNW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 22 mi | 299° WNW | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 26 mi | 268° W | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KFXAFull power | 66 mi | 64° ENE | Fair | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| K18GU-DTranslator | 67 mi | 137° SE | Poor | Ottumwa, IA |
How Colfax compares with the rest of Iowa
With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Colfax ranks 13th of 285 places in Iowa: more than 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 Ankeny, 19 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Colfax: 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 299° WNW, the direction of KDSM-TV (Fox), 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 16 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 Colfax, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 21 miles WNW of Colfax. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Colfax, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 21 miles WNW of Colfax. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Colfax, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 21 miles WNW of Colfax. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Colfax, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 22 miles WNW of Colfax. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Colfax, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 22 miles WNW of Colfax. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Colfax?
17 transmitters within 70 miles of Colfax; around 16 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 Colfax?
Point your antenna WNW, at about 296°. The main network towers for Colfax sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Colfax?
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 Colfax?
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 Colfax?
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
- Newton10 mi
- Baxter11 mi
- Altoona12 mi
- Monroe13 mi
- Pleasant Hill16 mi
- Ankeny19 mi
- Des Moines20 mi
- Pleasantville20 mi
- Johnston23 mi
- Huxley24 mi
- State Center24 mi
- Urbandale24 mi
- West Des Moines25 mi
- Pella25 mi
- Clive25 mi
- Knoxville26 mi
- Nevada26 mi
- Norwalk26 mi
- Grinnell27 mi
- Indianola27 mi
- Grimes28 mi
- Marshalltown31 mi
- Melcher-Dallas31 mi
- Ames31 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 Colfax; signal estimates ignore terrain.