TV channels & antenna towers in Muscatine, Iowa
Muscatine has 14 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Trinity. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K33QA-D, 20 miles to the ENE.
Network channels in Muscatine
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 30 mi | 74° ENE | Good | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 30 mi | 74° ENE | Fair | Rock Island, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 35 mi | 101° E | Good | Burlington, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 35 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 35 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 35 mi | 102° ESE | Fair | Galesburg, IL |
| CWKYOU-TVCW | 15.4 | 50 mi | 252° WSW | Good | Ottumwa, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Muscatine
With roughly 24,000 residents, Muscatine is a town in Iowa. Our map shows 14 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 1 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
1 of them is within 25 miles of Muscatine, 10 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 3 are more than 45 miles out. Two of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Davenport, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Davenport'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 18 (KLJB), CW on channel 26 (KGCW) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 4 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 Muscatine
Point your antenna E, at about 88°. The main network towers for Muscatine sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Four network stations, KGCW, KLJB, WQAD-TV and WMWC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 35 miles east of Muscatine (101° E). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Muscatine at fair strength or better, 86% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Muscatine, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Muscatine
The farthest main network tower for Muscatine is KLJB (Fox), 35 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Muscatine
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K33QA-DLow power | 20 mi | 74° ENE | Fair | Davenport, IA |
| KIINFull power | 26 mi | 323° NW | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 26 mi | 322° NW | Good | Iowa City, IA |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 35 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 35 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Davenport, IA |
| K28JD-DTranslator | 58 mi | 201° SSW | Poor | Fort Madison, IA |
| K24IM-DTranslator | 68 mi | 224° SW | Poor | Keosauqua, IA |
How Muscatine compares with the rest of Iowa
With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Muscatine ranks 84th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 30 miles away, against a state median of 34 miles.
44% of Iowa's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Davenport, 25 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Muscatine: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 102° ESE, the direction of KLJB (Fox), 35 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 12 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 Muscatine, IA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 35 miles ESE of Muscatine. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Muscatine, IA?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles ENE of Muscatine. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Muscatine, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles ENE of Muscatine. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Muscatine, IA?
Fox is on channel 18 from KLJB, broadcasting from 35 miles ESE of Muscatine. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Muscatine, IA?
CW is on channel 26 from KGCW, broadcasting from 35 miles E of Muscatine. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Muscatine?
14 transmitters within 70 miles of Muscatine; around 12 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 Muscatine?
Point your antenna E, at about 88°. The main network towers for Muscatine sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Muscatine?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Muscatine?
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Muscatine?
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
- Wilton11 mi
- West Liberty15 mi
- Blue Grass15 mi
- Wapello18 mi
- Columbus Junction19 mi
- Lone Tree20 mi
- Tipton24 mi
- Davenport25 mi
- Bettendorf28 mi
- Eldridge29 mi
- Winfield29 mi
- Mediapolis29 mi
- Iowa City30 mi
- Coralville33 mi
- Kalona35 mi
- Washington35 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Aledo, IL22 mi
- Milan, IL24 mi
- Rock Island, IL25 mi
- Moline, IL28 mi
- East Moline, IL31 mi
- Silvis, IL33 mi
- Oquawka, IL34 mi
- Colona, IL36 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 Muscatine; signal estimates ignore terrain.