TV channels & antenna towers in Kalona, Iowa
Kalona 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 KYOU-TV (CW), 24 miles to the SSW.
Network channels in Kalona
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKYOU-TVCW | 15.4 | 24 mi | 213° SSW | Good | Ottumwa, IA |
| IONKPXR-TVION | 48 | 57 mi | 351° N | Fair | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKCRG-TVCW | 9.3 | 58 mi | 352° N | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| FOXKGANFox | 2.2 | 58 mi | 352° N | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 64 mi | 86° E | Fair | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 64 mi | 86° E | Weak | Rock Island, IL |
| NBCKWWLNBC | 7 | 64 mi | 354° N | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 70 mi | 98° E | Weak | Burlington, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 70 mi | 99° E | Weak | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 70 mi | 99° E | Weak | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 70 mi | 99° E | Poor | Galesburg, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Kalona
With roughly 2,510 residents, Kalona is a town in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 22 licensed TV transmitters: 17 full-power, 2 low-power and 3 translators. 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, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 0 between 25 and 45 miles, and 19 farther out. Three of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Cedar Rapids, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Cedar Rapids's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 8 (WQAD-TV), CBS on channel 4 (WHBF-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 2.2 (KGAN), CW on channel 15.4 (KYOU-TV), ION on channel 48 (KPXR-TV) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 6 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 Kalona
The main network towers around Kalona are in different directions: ABC 99° E (70 mi), CBS 86° E (64 mi), NBC 86° E (64 mi) and Fox 352° N (58 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, KGCW, KLJB, WQAD-TV and WMWC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 70 miles east of Kalona (98° E). 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 Kalona at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across two other directions.
WQAD-TV (ABC), WHBF-TV (CBS) and KWQC-TV (NBC) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Kalona. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Kalona
The farthest main network tower for Kalona is WQAD-TV (ABC), 70 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 Kalona
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KWKBFull power | 25 mi | 47° NE | Strong | Iowa City, IA |
| KIINFull power | 25 mi | 49° NE | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KFXAFull power | 46 mi | 335° NNW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| K18GU-DTranslator | 50 mi | 224° SW | Poor | Ottumwa, IA |
| K33QA-DLow power | 53 mi | 88° E | Poor | Davenport, IA |
| K24IM-DTranslator | 54 mi | 193° SSW | Poor | Keosauqua, IA |
| KFKZ-LDLow power | 56 mi | 351° N | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KRINFull power | 58 mi | 352° N | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| K28JD-DTranslator | 60 mi | 166° SSE | Poor | Fort Madison, IA |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 70 mi | 99° E | Weak | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 70 mi | 99° E | Poor | Davenport, IA |
How Kalona compares with the rest of Iowa
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Kalona ranks 150th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 24 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 Coralville, 15 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Kalona: 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 99° E, the direction of WQAD-TV (ABC), 70 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 Kalona, IA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 70 miles E of Kalona. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CBS in Kalona, IA?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 64 miles E of Kalona. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is NBC in Kalona, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 64 miles E of Kalona. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Kalona, IA?
Fox is on channel 2.2 from KGAN, broadcasting from 58 miles N of Kalona. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Kalona, IA?
CW is on channel 15.4 from KYOU-TV, broadcasting from 24 miles SSW of Kalona. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Kalona?
22 transmitters within 70 miles of Kalona; 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 Kalona?
The main network towers around Kalona are in different directions: ABC 99° E (70 mi), CBS 86° E (64 mi), NBC 86° E (64 mi) and Fox 352° N (58 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Kalona?
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 107° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Kalona?
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 Kalona?
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
- Washington13 mi
- Lone Tree14 mi
- Coralville15 mi
- Iowa City15 mi
- North Liberty19 mi
- North English19 mi
- Williamsburg20 mi
- Columbus Junction23 mi
- West Liberty24 mi
- Sigourney28 mi
- Winfield28 mi
- Marengo29 mi
- Fairfax30 mi
- Mount Vernon34 mi
- Wapello34 mi
- Muscatine35 mi
- Fairfield35 mi
- Tipton36 mi
- Wilton36 mi
- Cedar Rapids36 mi
- Mount Pleasant37 mi
- Hiawatha38 mi
- Marion38 mi
- Belle Plaine41 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 Kalona; signal estimates ignore terrain.