TV channels & antenna towers in Garner, Iowa

Garner has 27 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, Fox and CW. About 4 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K30QY-D, 26 miles to the E.

Open Garner in the live finder

27TV transmitters within 70 miles

4networks over the air

26 mito the closest tower

3,107population

Network channels in Garner

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
CBSKIMTCBS	3	52 mi	60° ENE	Good	Mason City, IA
ABCKAALABC	6	66 mi	55° NE	Weak	Austin, MN
FOXKXLT-TVFox	47	66 mi	55° NE	Weak	Rochester, MN
CWKTTCCW	10.2	67 mi	61° ENE	Weak	Rochester, MN

Over-the-air TV in Garner

Garner, Iowa has a population of about 3,110. There are 27 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 7 full-power, 10 low-power and 10 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 4 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 12 farther out. Two of the 4 network stations in range are licensed to Rochester, MN, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rochester's stations.

The strongest network signals here 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, 89 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 Garner

Point your antenna ENE, at about 57°. The main network towers for Garner sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Two network stations, KAAL and KXLT-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 66 miles northeast of Garner (55° NE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

KAAL (ABC) and KXLT-TV (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Garner. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Garner

The farthest main network tower for Garner is KXLT-TV (Fox), 66 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 Garner

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
K30QY-DLow power	26 mi	80° E	Fair	Mason City, IA
K22LJ-DLow power	26 mi	80° E	Weak	Mason City, IA
K35PA-DLow power	26 mi	80° E	Weak	Mason City, IA
KDIT-LDLow power	30 mi	266° W	Poor	Fort Dodge, IA
K16MA-DTranslator	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
K19LJ-DTranslator	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
K34NV-DTranslator	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
K27FI-DTranslator	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
K31EF-DTranslator	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
K14KD-DTranslator	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
K23FY-DTranslator	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
K29IF-DTranslator	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
K35IU-DTranslator	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
K17MX-DLow power	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
K21KF-DLow power	37 mi	334° NNW	Poor	Frost, MN
KTINFull power	45 mi	245° WSW	Good	Fort Dodge, IA
K17MH-DLow power	48 mi	123° ESE	Poor	Cedar Falls, IA
KYINFull power	52 mi	60° ENE	Good	Mason City, IA
K27OW-DTranslator	55 mi	44° NE	Poor	Rochester, MN
K30RA-DLow power	62 mi	47° NE	Poor	Dexter, MN
KSMQ-TVFull power	66 mi	55° NE	Weak	Austin, MN
K35PC-DLow power	66 mi	55° NE	Poor	Rochester, MN
K21NU-DLow power	67 mi	5° N	Poor	Minneapolis, MN

How Garner compares with the rest of Iowa

With 4 stations at fair strength or better, Garner ranks 268th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 52 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, 21 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Garner: 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 55° NE, the direction of KXLT-TV (Fox), 66 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 4 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 Garner, IA?

ABC is on channel 6 from KAAL, broadcasting from 66 miles NE of Garner. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is CBS in Garner, IA?

CBS is on channel 3 from KIMT, broadcasting from 52 miles ENE of Garner. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Garner, IA?

Fox is on channel 47 from KXLT-TV, broadcasting from 66 miles NE of Garner. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is CW in Garner, IA?

CW is on channel 10.2 from KTTC, broadcasting from 67 miles ENE of Garner. Estimated signal: weak.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Garner?

27 transmitters within 70 miles of Garner; around 4 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 Garner?

Point your antenna ENE, at about 57°. The main network towers for Garner sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Garner?

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 Garner?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Garner?

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

Nearby cities in other states

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