TV channels & antenna towers in Jewell, Iowa
Jewell has 21 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 KDIT-CD, 33 miles to the S.
Network channels in Jewell
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 33 mi | 178° S | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 33 mi | 178° S | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 34 mi | 178° S | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 34 mi | 178° S | Good | Newton, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 34 mi | 178° S | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 34 mi | 178° S | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Jewell
Jewell, Iowa has a population of about 1,190. There are 21 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 9 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 5 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 14 between 25 and 45 miles, and 7 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 strongest network signals here 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 Jewell
Point your antenna S, at about 178°. The main network towers for Jewell 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 33 miles south of Jewell (178° S). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Jewell 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 Jewell, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Jewell
The farthest main network tower for Jewell is WHO-DT (NBC), 34 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 Jewell
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 | 33 mi | 178° S | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 33 mi | 178° S | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 34 mi | 178° S | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 37 mi | 151° SSE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 40 mi | 147° SSE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 40 mi | 147° SSE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 40 mi | 147° SSE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 45 mi | 188° S | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 50 mi | 179° S | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K17MH-DLow power | 51 mi | 55° NE | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KTINFull power | 53 mi | 312° NW | Good | Fort Dodge, IA |
| KDIT-LDLow power | 60 mi | 332° NNW | Poor | Fort Dodge, IA |
| K30QY-DLow power | 65 mi | 25° NNE | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| K22LJ-DLow power | 65 mi | 25° NNE | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| K35PA-DLow power | 65 mi | 25° NNE | Poor | Mason City, IA |
How Jewell compares with the rest of Iowa
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Jewell ranks 150th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 33 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, 19 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Jewell: 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 178° S, the direction of WHO-DT (NBC), 34 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 Jewell, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 34 miles S of Jewell. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Jewell, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 34 miles S of Jewell. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Jewell, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 34 miles S of Jewell. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Jewell, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 33 miles S of Jewell. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Jewell, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 33 miles S of Jewell. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Jewell?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Jewell; around 10 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 Jewell?
Point your antenna S, at about 178°. The main network towers for Jewell sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Jewell?
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 Jewell?
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 Jewell?
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
- Story City8.6 mi
- Webster City14 mi
- Ames19 mi
- Boone21 mi
- Centerville21 mi
- Oakland21 mi
- Nevada22 mi
- Iowa Falls25 mi
- Eldora28 mi
- Eagle Grove28 mi
- Huxley29 mi
- Clarion30 mi
- Fort Dodge30 mi
- State Center32 mi
- Ackley34 mi
- Belmond37 mi
- Hampton37 mi
- Conrad40 mi
- Ankeny40 mi
- Perry40 mi
- Humboldt41 mi
- Marshalltown41 mi
- Baxter42 mi
- Jefferson43 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 Jewell; signal estimates ignore terrain.