TV channels & antenna towers in Iowa Falls, Iowa
Iowa Falls has 22 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 10 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K17MH-D, 27 miles to the ENE.
Network channels in Iowa Falls
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 51 mi | 201° SSW | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 51 mi | 201° SSW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 53 mi | 201° SSW | Weak | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 53 mi | 201° SSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 53 mi | 201° SSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 53 mi | 201° SSW | Good | Newton, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Iowa Falls
Iowa Falls is a town of about 5,200 people in Iowa. There are 22 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 10 full-power, 2 Class A, 9 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 10 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Iowa Falls, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 21 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.
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). 4 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 Iowa Falls
Point your antenna SSW, at about 201°. The main network towers for Iowa Falls sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KCWI-TV, KDSM-TV, WOI-DT, WHO-DT and KCCI and others, transmit from the same tower site about 51 miles south of Iowa Falls (201° SSW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Iowa Falls 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 Iowa Falls, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Iowa Falls
The farthest main network tower for Iowa Falls is KCCI (CBS), 53 miles away with a fair 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 Iowa Falls
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K17MH-DLow power | 27 mi | 57° ENE | Fair | Cedar Falls, IA |
| K30QY-DLow power | 45 mi | 10° N | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| K22LJ-DLow power | 45 mi | 10° N | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| K35PA-DLow power | 45 mi | 10° N | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 47 mi | 182° S | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 49 mi | 177° S | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 49 mi | 177° S | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 49 mi | 177° S | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 51 mi | 201° SSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 51 mi | 201° SSW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 53 mi | 201° SSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-LDLow power | 61 mi | 308° NW | Poor | Fort Dodge, IA |
| KTINFull power | 62 mi | 289° WNW | Fair | Fort Dodge, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 65 mi | 204° SSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KFXAFull power | 67 mi | 116° ESE | Fair | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 67 mi | 197° SSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
How Iowa Falls compares with the rest of Iowa
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Iowa Falls ranks 150th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 51 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 Marshalltown, 37 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Iowa Falls: 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 201° SSW, the direction of KCCI (CBS), 53 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 10 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 Iowa Falls, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 53 miles SSW of Iowa Falls. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CBS in Iowa Falls, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 53 miles SSW of Iowa Falls. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Iowa Falls, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 53 miles SSW of Iowa Falls. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Iowa Falls, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 51 miles SSW of Iowa Falls. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Iowa Falls, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 51 miles SSW of Iowa Falls. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Iowa Falls?
22 transmitters within 70 miles of Iowa Falls; around 10 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 Iowa Falls?
Point your antenna SSW, at about 201°. The main network towers for Iowa Falls sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Iowa Falls?
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 Iowa Falls?
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 Iowa Falls?
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
- Ackley10 mi
- Oakland11 mi
- Eldora14 mi
- Hampton15 mi
- Parkersburg24 mi
- Sheffield26 mi
- Grundy Center27 mi
- Conrad28 mi
- Clarion28 mi
- Belmond29 mi
- Webster City29 mi
- Story City29 mi
- Dike32 mi
- Greene34 mi
- Eagle Grove35 mi
- Clarksville35 mi
- State Center35 mi
- Nevada36 mi
- Marshalltown37 mi
- Ames39 mi
- Cedar Falls41 mi
- Waverly42 mi
- Clear Lake43 mi
- Mason City44 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 Iowa Falls; signal estimates ignore terrain.