TV channels & antenna towers in Forest City, Iowa
Forest City has 33 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, Fox and CW. About 5 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K16MA-D, 27 miles to the NNW.
Network channels in Forest City
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKIMTCBS | 3 | 49 mi | 72° ENE | Good | Mason City, IA |
| CWKMNF-CDCW | 7.2 | 61 mi | 321° NW | Poor | Mankato, MN |
| FOXKEYC-TVFox | 12.2 | 61 mi | 321° NW | Weak | Mankato, MN |
| ABCKAALABC | 6 | 62 mi | 64° ENE | Fair | Austin, MN |
| FOXKXLT-TVFox | 47 | 62 mi | 64° ENE | Weak | Rochester, MN |
| CWKTTCCW | 10.2 | 64 mi | 70° ENE | Weak | Rochester, MN |
Over-the-air TV in Forest City
Forest City, Iowa has a population of about 4,020. There are 33 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 8 full-power, 1 Class A, 14 low-power and 10 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 5 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 3 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 15 between 25 and 45 miles, and 18 farther out. Two of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Mankato, MN, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Mankato's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 6 (KAAL), CBS on channel 3 (KIMT), Fox on channel 47 (KXLT-TV) and CW on channel 10.2 (KTTC). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WHO-DT in Des Moines, IA, 100 miles to the south. 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 Forest City
Point your antenna ENE, at about 67°. The main network towers for Forest City sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Two network stations, KMNF-CD and KEYC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 61 miles northwest of Forest City (321° NW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
KAAL (ABC) and KXLT-TV (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Forest City. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Forest City
The farthest main network tower for Forest City is KXLT-TV (Fox), 62 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.
At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Forest City
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 27; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K16MA-DTranslator | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K19LJ-DTranslator | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K34NV-DTranslator | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K27FI-DTranslator | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K31EF-DTranslator | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K14KD-DTranslator | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K23FY-DTranslator | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K29IF-DTranslator | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K35IU-DTranslator | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K17MX-DLow power | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K21KF-DLow power | 27 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Frost, MN |
| K30QY-DLow power | 28 mi | 103° ESE | Fair | Mason City, IA |
| K22LJ-DLow power | 28 mi | 103° ESE | Weak | Mason City, IA |
| K35PA-DLow power | 28 mi | 103° ESE | Weak | Mason City, IA |
| KDIT-LDLow power | 31 mi | 245° WSW | Poor | Fort Dodge, IA |
| KYINFull power | 49 mi | 72° ENE | Good | Mason City, IA |
| K27OW-DTranslator | 49 mi | 55° NE | Poor | Rochester, MN |
| KTINFull power | 50 mi | 232° SW | Good | Fort Dodge, IA |
| K17MH-DLow power | 56 mi | 131° SE | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| K21NU-DLow power | 56 mi | 7° N | Poor | Minneapolis, MN |
| K30RA-DLow power | 57 mi | 56° ENE | Poor | Dexter, MN |
| KSMQ-TVFull power | 62 mi | 64° ENE | Weak | Austin, MN |
| K35PC-DLow power | 62 mi | 64° ENE | Poor | Rochester, MN |
| K25QC-DLow power | 64 mi | 329° NNW | Poor | Lake Crystal, MN |
| K33MW-DLow power | 66 mi | 342° NNW | Poor | Mankato, MN |
How Forest City compares with the rest of Iowa
With 5 stations at fair strength or better, Forest City ranks 265th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 49 miles away, against a state median of 34 miles.
44% of Iowa's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Mason City, 23 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Forest City: 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 64° ENE, the direction of KXLT-TV (Fox), 62 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 5 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 Forest City, IA?
ABC is on channel 6 from KAAL, broadcasting from 62 miles ENE of Forest City. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Forest City, IA?
CBS is on channel 3 from KIMT, broadcasting from 49 miles ENE of Forest City. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Forest City, IA?
Fox is on channel 47 from KXLT-TV, broadcasting from 62 miles ENE of Forest City. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CW in Forest City, IA?
CW is on channel 10.2 from KTTC, broadcasting from 64 miles ENE of Forest City. Estimated signal: weak.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Forest City?
33 transmitters within 70 miles of Forest City; around 5 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 Forest City?
Point your antenna ENE, at about 67°. The main network towers for Forest City sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Forest City?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Forest City?
At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Forest City?
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
- Garner11 mi
- Lake Mills12 mi
- Britt14 mi
- Clear Lake16 mi
- Mason City23 mi
- Northwood24 mi
- Belmond29 mi
- Algona33 mi
- Nora Springs33 mi
- Sheffield33 mi
- Clarion37 mi
- Osage42 mi
- Hampton42 mi
- Eagle Grove43 mi
- Humboldt47 mi
- Oakland48 mi
- Greene49 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Albert Lea, MN30 mi
- Wells, MN34 mi
- Blue Earth, MN35 mi
- Austin, MN43 mi
- Winnebago, MN44 mi
- New Richland, MN44 mi
- Mapleton, MN49 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 Forest City; signal estimates ignore terrain.