TV channels & antenna towers in Gilbert, Iowa
Gilbert has 17 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 13 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KDIT-CD, 19 miles to the S.
Network channels in Gilbert
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 19 mi | 175° S | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 19 mi | 175° S | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 21 mi | 176° S | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 21 mi | 176° S | Good | Newton, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 21 mi | 175° S | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 21 mi | 175° S | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Gilbert
With roughly 1,120 residents, Gilbert is a small community in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 17 licensed TV transmitters: 9 full-power, 2 Class A, 5 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 13 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
9 of them are within 25 miles of Gilbert, 6 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 2 are more than 45 miles 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.
For the networks, the best local options 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 Gilbert
Point your antenna S, at about 175°. The main network towers for Gilbert 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 19 miles south of Gilbert (175° S). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Gilbert at fair strength or better, all arrive from the south, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Gilbert, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Gilbert
The farthest main network tower for Gilbert is WHO-DT (NBC), 21 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Gilbert
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDIT-CDClass A | 19 mi | 175° S | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 19 mi | 175° S | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 21 mi | 175° S | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 26 mi | 135° SE | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 30 mi | 131° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 30 mi | 131° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 30 mi | 131° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 31 mi | 190° S | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 36 mi | 178° S | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| K17MH-DLow power | 61 mi | 45° NE | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KTINFull power | 63 mi | 322° NW | Fair | Fort Dodge, IA |
How Gilbert compares with the rest of Iowa
With 13 stations at fair strength or better, Gilbert ranks 68th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 19 miles away, against a state median of 34 miles.
44% of Iowa's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Ames, 5.2 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Gilbert: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 175° S, the direction of WHO-DT (NBC), 21 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 13 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 Gilbert, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 21 miles S of Gilbert. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Gilbert, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 21 miles S of Gilbert. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Gilbert, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 21 miles S of Gilbert. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Gilbert, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles S of Gilbert. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Gilbert, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles S of Gilbert. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Gilbert?
17 transmitters within 70 miles of Gilbert; around 13 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 Gilbert?
Point your antenna S, at about 175°. The main network towers for Gilbert sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Gilbert?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Gilbert?
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Gilbert?
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
- Ames5.2 mi
- Story City6.2 mi
- Nevada12 mi
- Boone12 mi
- Centerville15 mi
- Huxley15 mi
- State Center26 mi
- Ankeny26 mi
- Webster City26 mi
- Grimes30 mi
- Perry30 mi
- Johnston30 mi
- Baxter32 mi
- Eldora33 mi
- Urbandale33 mi
- Altoona33 mi
- Oakland34 mi
- Clive35 mi
- Des Moines35 mi
- Iowa Falls35 mi
- Waukee36 mi
- West Des Moines37 mi
- Pleasant Hill37 mi
- Fort Dodge38 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 Gilbert; signal estimates ignore terrain.