TV channels & antenna towers in Fort Dodge, Iowa

Fort Dodge has 19 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 8 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KTIN, 25 miles to the NNW.

Open Fort Dodge in the live finder

19TV transmitters within 70 miles

6networks over the air

25 mito the closest tower

24,649population

Network channels in Fort Dodge

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
CWKCWI-TVCW	23	54 mi	148° SSE	Fair	Ames, IA
FOXKDSM-TVFox	17	54 mi	148° SSE	Good	Des Moines, IA
CBSKCCICBS	8	55 mi	149° SSE	Fair	Des Moines, IA
IONKFPX-TVION	39	55 mi	149° SSE	Fair	Newton, IA
ABCWOI-DTABC	5	55 mi	149° SSE	Weak	Ames, IA
NBCWHO-DTNBC	13	55 mi	149° SSE	Fair	Des Moines, IA

Over-the-air TV in Fort Dodge

With roughly 24,600 residents, Fort Dodge is a city in Iowa. Our map shows 19 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 9 full-power, 2 Class A, 7 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 3 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 17 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.

The best-placed network stations 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 Fort Dodge

Point your antenna SSE, at about 149°. The main network towers for Fort Dodge sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Six network stations, KCWI-TV, KDSM-TV, KCCI, KFPX-TV and WOI-DT and others, transmit from the same tower site about 54 miles southeast of Fort Dodge (148° SSE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Fort Dodge at fair strength or better, all arrive from the southeast, so this is an easy place to aim.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Fort Dodge, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Fort Dodge

The farthest main network tower for Fort Dodge is WHO-DT (NBC), 55 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

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 Fort Dodge

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
KTINFull power	25 mi	331° NNW	Good	Fort Dodge, IA
KDIT-LDLow power	39 mi	357° N	Poor	Fort Dodge, IA
KDIT-CDClass A	54 mi	148° SSE	Poor	Des Moines, IA
KDMIFull power	54 mi	148° SSE	Good	Des Moines, IA
KDIN-TVFull power	55 mi	149° SSE	Fair	Des Moines, IA
K32NM-DLow power	61 mi	160° SSE	Poor	Des Moines, IA
K31PO-DTranslator	64 mi	135° SE	Poor	Des Moines, IA
K18KG-DLow power	66 mi	322° NW	Poor	Spencer, IA
KBVK-LDLow power	66 mi	322° NW	Poor	Spencer, IA
KAJR-LDLow power	68 mi	133° SE	Poor	Des Moines, IA
KCYM-LDLow power	68 mi	133° SE	Poor	Des Moines, IA
KRPG-LDLow power	68 mi	133° SE	Poor	Des Moines, IA
WBXF-CDClass A	69 mi	156° SSE	Poor	Des Moines, IA

How Fort Dodge compares with the rest of Iowa

With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Fort Dodge ranks 219th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 54 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 Ames, 43 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Fort Dodge: 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 149° SSE, the direction of WHO-DT (NBC), 55 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 8 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 Fort Dodge, IA?

ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 55 miles SSE of Fort Dodge. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is CBS in Fort Dodge, IA?

CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 55 miles SSE of Fort Dodge. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Fort Dodge, IA?

NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 55 miles SSE of Fort Dodge. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is Fox in Fort Dodge, IA?

Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 54 miles SSE of Fort Dodge. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Fort Dodge, IA?

CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 54 miles SSE of Fort Dodge. Estimated signal: fair.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Fort Dodge?

19 transmitters within 70 miles of Fort Dodge; around 8 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 Fort Dodge?

Point your antenna SSE, at about 149°. The main network towers for Fort Dodge sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Fort Dodge?

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 Fort Dodge?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Fort Dodge?

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

More: all TV stations in Iowa · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Fort Dodge; signal estimates ignore terrain.