TV channels & antenna towers in Montezuma, Iowa
Montezuma has 27 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 KAJR-LD, 39 miles to the WNW.
Network channels in Montezuma
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKYOU-TVCW | 15.4 | 40 mi | 132° SE | Good | Ottumwa, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 58 mi | 286° WNW | Weak | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 58 mi | 286° WNW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 59 mi | 286° WNW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 59 mi | 286° WNW | Fair | Newton, IA |
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 59 mi | 287° WNW | Fair | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 59 mi | 287° WNW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKPXR-TVION | 48 | 59 mi | 34° NNE | Fair | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKCRG-TVCW | 9.3 | 61 mi | 34° NE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| FOXKGANFox | 2.2 | 61 mi | 34° NE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| NBCKWWLNBC | 7 | 66 mi | 32° NNE | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Montezuma
Montezuma, Iowa has a population of about 1,410. There are 27 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 17 full-power, 2 Class A, 5 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Montezuma, 7 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 20 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 11 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 best-placed network stations 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 9.3 (KCRG-TV) and ION on channel 39 (KFPX-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 Montezuma
Point your antenna WNW, at about 286°. The main network towers for Montezuma sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, WOI-DT, WHO-DT, KCCI, KFPX-TV and KCWI-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 58 miles west of Montezuma (286° WNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Montezuma at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Montezuma, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Montezuma
The farthest main network tower for Montezuma is KDSM-TV (Fox), 59 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
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 Montezuma
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAJR-LDLow power | 39 mi | 295° WNW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 39 mi | 295° WNW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 39 mi | 295° WNW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KFXAFull power | 42 mi | 33° NNE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 43 mi | 294° WNW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K18GU-DTranslator | 44 mi | 169° S | Poor | Ottumwa, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 57 mi | 270° W | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 58 mi | 286° WNW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 59 mi | 287° WNW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 59 mi | 287° WNW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KFKZ-LDLow power | 59 mi | 34° NE | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KRINFull power | 61 mi | 34° NE | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 61 mi | 81° E | Good | Iowa City, IA |
| KIINFull power | 62 mi | 81° E | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 64 mi | 275° W | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K24IM-DTranslator | 67 mi | 153° SSE | Poor | Keosauqua, IA |
How Montezuma compares with the rest of Iowa
With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Montezuma ranks 13th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 40 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 Marshalltown, 38 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Montezuma: 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 287° WNW, the direction of KDSM-TV (Fox), 59 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 Montezuma, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 58 miles WNW of Montezuma. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CBS in Montezuma, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 59 miles WNW of Montezuma. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Montezuma, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 58 miles WNW of Montezuma. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Montezuma, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 59 miles WNW of Montezuma. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Montezuma, IA?
CW is on channel 9.3 from KCRG-TV, broadcasting from 61 miles NE of Montezuma. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Montezuma?
27 transmitters within 70 miles of Montezuma; 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 Montezuma?
Point your antenna WNW, at about 286°. The main network towers for Montezuma sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Montezuma?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Montezuma?
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 Montezuma?
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
- New Sharon10 mi
- Brooklyn11 mi
- Grinnell15 mi
- Oskaloosa21 mi
- Pella24 mi
- North English24 mi
- Sigourney24 mi
- Belle Plaine25 mi
- Tama26 mi
- Williamsburg27 mi
- Marengo28 mi
- Newton28 mi
- Monroe30 mi
- Eddyville30 mi
- Knoxville35 mi
- Baxter36 mi
- Marshalltown38 mi
- Ottumwa40 mi
- Pleasantville41 mi
- Albia41 mi
- Traer42 mi
- Kalona43 mi
- State Center44 mi
- Melcher-Dallas45 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 Montezuma; signal estimates ignore terrain.