TV channels & antenna towers in Fort Madison, Iowa
Fort Madison has 21 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, Fox, CW and Trinity. About 8 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K28JD-D, 6.2 miles to the W.
Network channels in Fort Madison
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCKHQA-TVABC | 7.2 | 45 mi | 181° S | Good | Hannibal, MO |
| CWWGEM-TVCW | 10.2 | 45 mi | 181° S | Good | Quincy, IL |
| CWKYOU-TVCW | 15.4 | 51 mi | 320° NW | Good | Ottumwa, IA |
| ABCKTVOABC | 3 | 60 mi | 264° W | Fair | Kirksville, MO |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 68 mi | 46° NE | Weak | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 68 mi | 46° NE | Weak | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 68 mi | 46° NE | Poor | Galesburg, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 69 mi | 45° NE | Weak | Burlington, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Fort Madison
Fort Madison is a city of about 10,700 people in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 21 licensed TV transmitters: 13 full-power, 4 low-power and 4 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
2 of them are within 25 miles of Fort Madison, 2 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 17 are more than 45 miles out.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 7.2 (KHQA-TV), Fox on channel 18 (KLJB), CW on channel 10.2 (WGEM-TV) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WHBF-TV in Rock Island, IL, 77 miles to the northeast. No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KWQC-TV in Davenport, IA, 77 miles to the northeast. 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 Fort Madison
The main network towers around Fort Madison are in different directions: ABC 181° S (45 mi) and Fox 46° NE (68 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, KLJB, WQAD-TV, WMWC-TV and KGCW, transmit from the same tower site about 68 miles northeast of Fort Madison (46° NE). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Fort Madison at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across two other directions.
KLJB (Fox) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Fort Madison. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Fort Madison
The farthest main network tower for Fort Madison is KLJB (Fox), 68 miles away with a weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
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 Madison
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K28JD-DTranslator | 6.2 mi | 271° W | Good | Fort Madison, IA |
| K18NZ-DTranslator | 16 mi | 197° SSW | Fair | Keokuk, IA |
| K24IM-DTranslator | 33 mi | 281° W | Weak | Keosauqua, IA |
| WMECFull power | 35 mi | 117° ESE | Fair | Macomb, IL |
| WQECFull power | 45 mi | 180° S | Weak | Quincy, IL |
| WTJRFull power | 45 mi | 181° S | Good | Quincy, IL |
| W27DF-DLow power | 45 mi | 181° S | Poor | Quincy, IL |
| K14SU-DLow power | 45 mi | 181° S | Poor | Keokuk, IA |
| W17EH-DLow power | 45 mi | 181° S | Poor | Quincy, IL |
| K18GU-DTranslator | 60 mi | 293° WNW | Poor | Ottumwa, IA |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 68 mi | 46° NE | Weak | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 68 mi | 46° NE | Poor | Davenport, IA |
| K33QA-DLow power | 69 mi | 29° NNE | Poor | Davenport, IA |
How Fort Madison compares with the rest of Iowa
With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Fort Madison ranks 219th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 45 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 Burlington, 16 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Fort Madison: 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 46° NE, the direction of KLJB (Fox), 68 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 Madison, IA?
ABC is on channel 7.2 from KHQA-TV, broadcasting from 45 miles S of Fort Madison. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Fort Madison, IA?
Fox is on channel 18 from KLJB, broadcasting from 68 miles NE of Fort Madison. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CW in Fort Madison, IA?
CW is on channel 10.2 from WGEM-TV, broadcasting from 45 miles S of Fort Madison. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Fort Madison?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Fort Madison; 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 Madison?
The main network towers around Fort Madison are in different directions: ABC 181° S (45 mi) and Fox 46° NE (68 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Fort Madison?
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 135° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Fort Madison?
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 Fort Madison?
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
- Burlington16 mi
- Keokuk16 mi
- Mount Pleasant26 mi
- Mediapolis27 mi
- Keosauqua35 mi
- Winfield35 mi
- Wapello39 mi
- Fairfield43 mi
- Columbus Junction45 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Nauvoo, IL6.6 mi
- Carthage, IL17 mi
- La Harpe, IL18 mi
- Kahoka, MO26 mi
- Oquawka, IL28 mi
- Macomb, IL36 mi
- Canton, MO36 mi
- Monmouth, IL40 mi
- Monticello, MO41 mi
- Bushnell, IL43 mi
- Camp Point, IL43 mi
- Memphis, MO46 mi
- Quincy, IL48 mi
- Aledo, IL49 mi
- Abingdon, IL49 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 Fort Madison; signal estimates ignore terrain.