TV channels & antenna towers in Mapleton, Iowa
Mapleton has 20 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 9 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K34IB-D, 26 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Mapleton
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKTIVCW | 4.2 | 36 mi | 323° NW | Good | Sioux City, IA |
| FOXKPTHFox | 44 | 36 mi | 323° NW | Good | Sioux City, IA |
| ABCKCAU-TVABC | 9 | 37 mi | 322° NW | Fair | Sioux City, IA |
| NBCWOWTNBC | 6 | 60 mi | 192° SSW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| ABCKETVABC | 7 | 60 mi | 192° SSW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| CBSKMTV-TVCBS | 3 | 61 mi | 192° SSW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| TLMKOHA-LDTelemundo | 27 | 66 mi | 187° S | Poor | Omaha, NE |
Over-the-air TV in Mapleton
Mapleton, Iowa has a population of about 1,210. There are 20 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 11 full-power, 6 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Mapleton, 10 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 10 are more than 45 miles out. Four of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Omaha, NE, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Omaha's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 7 (KETV), CBS on channel 3 (KMTV-TV), NBC on channel 6 (WOWT), Fox on channel 44 (KPTH), CW on channel 4.2 (KTIV) and Telemundo on channel 27 (KOHA-LD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (very weak signal). 5 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 Mapleton
The main network towers around Mapleton are in different directions: ABC 192° SSW (60 mi), CBS 192° SSW (61 mi), NBC 192° SSW (60 mi) and Fox 323° NW (36 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Three network stations, KTIV, KPTH and KCAU-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 36 miles northwest of Mapleton (323° NW). 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 Mapleton at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.
KETV (ABC), KMTV-TV (CBS) and WOWT (NBC) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Mapleton. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Mapleton
The farthest main network tower for Mapleton is KMTV-TV (CBS), 61 miles away with a good 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 Mapleton
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K34IB-DTranslator | 26 mi | 245° WSW | Poor | Decatur, NE |
| KSIN-TVFull power | 36 mi | 313° NW | Good | Sioux City, IA |
| KMEGFull power | 36 mi | 323° NW | Good | Sioux City, IA |
| KBWF-LDLow power | 39 mi | 304° WNW | Weak | Sioux City, IA |
| K16NY-DLow power | 39 mi | 304° WNW | Poor | Sioux City, IA |
| K31PP-DLow power | 39 mi | 311° NW | Poor | Sioux City, IA |
| K27LD-DLow power | 39 mi | 311° NW | Poor | Salix, IA |
| K24GO-DTranslator | 47 mi | 202° SSW | Poor | Blair, NE |
| KYNE-TVFull power | 60 mi | 192° SSW | Weak | Omaha, NE |
| KBIN-TVFull power | 63 mi | 182° S | Poor | Council Bluffs, IA |
| K36QD-DTranslator | 63 mi | 211° SSW | Poor | Omaha, NE |
| KHINFull power | 63 mi | 154° SSE | Good | Red Oak, IA |
| KQMK-LDLow power | 66 mi | 187° S | Poor | Omaha, NE |
How Mapleton compares with the rest of Iowa
With 9 stations at fair strength or better, Mapleton ranks 178th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 36 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 Sioux City, 39 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Mapleton: 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 192° SSW, the direction of KMTV-TV (CBS), 61 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 9 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 Mapleton, IA?
ABC is on channel 7 from KETV, broadcasting from 60 miles SSW of Mapleton. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Mapleton, IA?
CBS is on channel 3 from KMTV-TV, broadcasting from 61 miles SSW of Mapleton. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Mapleton, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from WOWT, broadcasting from 60 miles SSW of Mapleton. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Mapleton, IA?
Fox is on channel 44 from KPTH, broadcasting from 36 miles NW of Mapleton. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Mapleton, IA?
CW is on channel 4.2 from KTIV, broadcasting from 36 miles NW of Mapleton. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Mapleton?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of Mapleton; around 9 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 Mapleton?
The main network towers around Mapleton are in different directions: ABC 192° SSW (60 mi), CBS 192° SSW (61 mi), NBC 192° SSW (60 mi) and Fox 323° NW (36 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Mapleton?
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 132° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Mapleton?
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 Mapleton?
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
- Onawa18 mi
- Ida Grove21 mi
- Denison25 mi
- Holstein26 mi
- Moville26 mi
- Woodbine30 mi
- Kingsley31 mi
- Sergeant Bluff33 mi
- Sioux City39 mi
- Manning41 mi
- Cherokee42 mi
- Missouri Valley42 mi
- Harlan43 mi
- Storm Lake44 mi
- Sac City45 mi
- Remsen46 mi
- Le Mars47 mi
- Carroll48 mi
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 Mapleton; signal estimates ignore terrain.