TV channels & antenna towers in Monona, Iowa

Monona is a small community of about 1,500 people in Iowa. There are 18 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 10 full-power, 1 Class A, 3 low-power and 4 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 15 farther out. Three of the 7 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 19 (WXOW), NBC on channel 7 (KWWL), Fox on channel 25 (WLAX), CW on channel 9.3 (KCRG-TV) and ION on channel 48 (KPXR-TV). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WKBT-DT in La Crosse, WI, 72 miles to the north. 3 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around Monona are in different directions: ABC 1° N (52 mi), NBC 207° SSW (51 mi) and Fox 1° N (52 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 56 miles southwest of Monona (205° SSW). 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 Monona at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.

WLAX (Fox) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Monona. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

The farthest main network tower for Monona is WXOW (ABC), 52 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.

With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Monona ranks 84th of 285 places in Iowa: more 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.