TV channels & antenna towers in Mechanicsville, Iowa
Mechanicsville has 20 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 16 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KWKB, 13 miles to the SSW.
Network channels in Mechanicsville
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKCRG-TVCW | 9.3 | 42 mi | 313° NW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| FOXKGANFox | 2.2 | 42 mi | 313° NW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| IONKPXR-TVION | 48 | 42 mi | 310° NW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| NBCKWWLNBC | 7 | 46 mi | 319° NW | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 47 mi | 121° ESE | Good | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 47 mi | 121° ESE | Fair | Rock Island, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 60 mi | 131° SE | Fair | Burlington, IA |
| CWKYOU-TVCW | 15.4 | 61 mi | 217° SW | Fair | Ottumwa, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 61 mi | 132° SE | Fair | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 61 mi | 132° SE | Fair | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 61 mi | 132° SE | Weak | Galesburg, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Mechanicsville
Mechanicsville is a small community of about 1,110 people in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 20 licensed TV transmitters: 18 full-power and 2 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 7 between 25 and 45 miles, and 11 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 strongest network signals here 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 9.3 (KCRG-TV), ION on channel 48 (KPXR-TV) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 7 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 Mechanicsville
The main network towers around Mechanicsville are in different directions: ABC 132° SE (61 mi), CBS 121° ESE (47 mi), NBC 121° ESE (47 mi) and Fox 313° NW (42 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Three network stations, KCRG-TV, KGAN and KPXR-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 42 miles northwest of Mechanicsville (313° NW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Mechanicsville at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.
WQAD-TV (ABC) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Mechanicsville. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Mechanicsville
The farthest main network tower for Mechanicsville is WQAD-TV (ABC), 61 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
KWKB is only 13 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Other stations near Mechanicsville
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 | 13 mi | 202° SSW | Strong | Iowa City, IA |
| KIINFull power | 13 mi | 199° SSW | Good | Iowa City, IA |
| K33QA-DLow power | 41 mi | 133° SE | Poor | Davenport, IA |
| KFKZ-LDLow power | 42 mi | 310° NW | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KRINFull power | 42 mi | 313° NW | Good | Waterloo, IA |
| KFXAFull power | 45 mi | 287° WNW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| KFXB-TVFull power | 53 mi | 37° NE | Fair | Dubuque, IA |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 61 mi | 132° SE | Fair | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 61 mi | 132° SE | Weak | Davenport, IA |
How Mechanicsville compares with the rest of Iowa
With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Mechanicsville ranks 13th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 42 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 Marion, 20 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Mechanicsville: 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 132° SE, the direction of WQAD-TV (ABC), 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 16 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 Mechanicsville, IA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 61 miles SE of Mechanicsville. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Mechanicsville, IA?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 47 miles ESE of Mechanicsville. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Mechanicsville, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 47 miles ESE of Mechanicsville. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Mechanicsville, IA?
Fox is on channel 2.2 from KGAN, broadcasting from 42 miles NW of Mechanicsville. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Mechanicsville, IA?
CW is on channel 9.3 from KCRG-TV, broadcasting from 42 miles NW of Mechanicsville. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Mechanicsville?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of Mechanicsville; around 16 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 Mechanicsville?
The main network towers around Mechanicsville are in different directions: ABC 132° SE (61 mi), CBS 121° ESE (47 mi), NBC 121° ESE (47 mi) and Fox 313° NW (42 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Mechanicsville?
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 179° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Mechanicsville?
KWKB is only 13 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Mechanicsville?
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
- Mount Vernon8.4 mi
- Tipton11 mi
- Anamosa14 mi
- Marion20 mi
- North Liberty21 mi
- Cedar Rapids21 mi
- Iowa City22 mi
- Coralville23 mi
- West Liberty23 mi
- Monticello23 mi
- Hiawatha24 mi
- Central City25 mi
- Wilton25 mi
- Fairfax27 mi
- Cascade30 mi
- Lone Tree30 mi
- Maquoketa32 mi
- Center Point34 mi
- Muscatine35 mi
- Blue Grass37 mi
- Kalona37 mi
- De Witt37 mi
- Eldridge38 mi
- Dyersville41 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 Mechanicsville; signal estimates ignore terrain.