TV channels & antenna towers in Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque has 20 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 KFXB-TV, 2.6 miles to the ENE.
Network channels in Dubuque
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKWWLNBC | 7 | 61 mi | 264° W | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| CWKCRG-TVCW | 9.3 | 62 mi | 259° WSW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| FOXKGANFox | 2.2 | 62 mi | 259° WSW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| IONKPXR-TVION | 48 | 64 mi | 258° WSW | Fair | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 67 mi | 172° S | Fair | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 67 mi | 172° S | Weak | Rock Island, IL |
| FOXWMSN-TVFox | 47 | 69 mi | 56° NE | Fair | Madison, WI |
| IONWIFSION | 57 | 69 mi | 56° NE | Weak | Janesville, WI |
| ABCWKOWABC | 27 | 69 mi | 56° NE | Fair | Madison, WI |
| CBSWISC-TVCBS | 3 | 69 mi | 56° NE | Weak | Madison, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Dubuque
With roughly 58,800 residents, Dubuque is a city in Iowa. Our map shows 20 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 15 full-power, 3 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 3 at good or strong strength.
1 of them is within 25 miles of Dubuque, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 18 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to Cedar Rapids, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Cedar Rapids's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 27 (WKOW), CBS on channel 3 (WISC-TV), NBC on channel 7 (KWWL), Fox on channel 2.2 (KGAN), CW on channel 9.3 (KCRG-TV) and ION on channel 48 (KPXR-TV). 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 Dubuque
The main network towers around Dubuque are in different directions: ABC 56° NE (69 mi), CBS 56° NE (69 mi), NBC 264° W (61 mi) and Fox 259° WSW (62 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, WMSN-TV, WIFS, WKOW and WISC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 69 miles northeast of Dubuque (56° NE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Dubuque at fair strength or better, 57% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across two other directions.
WKOW (ABC) and WISC-TV (CBS) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Dubuque. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Dubuque
The farthest main network tower for Dubuque is WISC-TV (CBS), 69 miles away with a weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
KFXB-TV is only 2.6 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 Dubuque
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KFXB-TVFull power | 2.6 mi | 61° ENE | Strong | Dubuque, IA |
| W16DU-DTranslator | 31 mi | 333° NNW | Weak | Bloomington, WI |
| KRINFull power | 62 mi | 259° WSW | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| KFKZ-LDLow power | 64 mi | 257° WSW | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KIINFull power | 64 mi | 213° SSW | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 64 mi | 214° SSW | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| K31NJ-DTranslator | 65 mi | 335° NNW | Poor | Lansing, IA |
| W27EJ-DLow power | 68 mi | 127° SE | Poor | Sterling, IL |
| WHA-TVFull power | 69 mi | 56° NE | Weak | Madison, WI |
| K33QA-DLow power | 69 mi | 180° S | Poor | Davenport, IA |
How Dubuque compares with the rest of Iowa
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Dubuque ranks 109th of 285 places in Iowa: the same as the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 61 miles away, against a state median of 34 miles.
44% of Iowa's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Dubuque: step by step
- Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
- Point it toward 56° NE, the direction of WISC-TV (CBS), 69 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 Dubuque, IA?
ABC is on channel 27 from WKOW, broadcasting from 69 miles NE of Dubuque. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Dubuque, IA?
CBS is on channel 3 from WISC-TV, broadcasting from 69 miles NE of Dubuque. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is NBC in Dubuque, IA?
NBC is on channel 7 from KWWL, broadcasting from 61 miles W of Dubuque. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Dubuque, IA?
Fox is on channel 2.2 from KGAN, broadcasting from 62 miles WSW of Dubuque. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Dubuque, IA?
CW is on channel 9.3 from KCRG-TV, broadcasting from 62 miles WSW of Dubuque. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Dubuque?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of Dubuque; around 11 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Dubuque?
The main network towers around Dubuque are in different directions: ABC 56° NE (69 mi), CBS 56° NE (69 mi), NBC 264° W (61 mi) and Fox 259° WSW (62 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Dubuque?
Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below. The towers are spread over about 157° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Dubuque?
KFXB-TV is only 2.6 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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Dubuque?
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
- Asbury4.5 mi
- Epworth14 mi
- Bellevue21 mi
- Cascade23 mi
- Dyersville23 mi
- Guttenberg30 mi
- Maquoketa30 mi
- Monticello32 mi
- Preston34 mi
- Manchester40 mi
- Anamosa42 mi
- Elkader45 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Galena, IL13 mi
- Platteville, WI19 mi
- Shullsburg, WI23 mi
- Lancaster, WI24 mi
- Darlington, WI31 mi
- Fennimore, WI33 mi
- Warren, IL34 mi
- Stockton, IL35 mi
- Savanna, IL38 mi
- Dodgeville, WI42 mi
- Lena, IL44 mi
- Boscobel, WI44 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 Dubuque; signal estimates ignore terrain.