TV channels & antenna towers in Nevada, Iowa
Nevada has 16 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 15 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K31PO-D, 16 miles to the SE.
Network channels in Nevada
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 16 mi | 212° SSW | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 16 mi | 212° SSW | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 17 mi | 210° SSW | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 17 mi | 210° SSW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 17 mi | 211° SSW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 17 mi | 211° SSW | Good | Newton, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Nevada
Nevada, Iowa has a population of about 6,830. Our map shows 16 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 8 full-power, 2 Class A, 5 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 15 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 6 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 13 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 1 farther out. Three of the 6 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.
For the networks, the best local options 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 23 (KCWI-TV) and ION on channel 39 (KFPX-TV). 2 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 Nevada
Point your antenna SSW, at about 210°. The main network towers for Nevada sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KCWI-TV, KDSM-TV, WOI-DT, WHO-DT and KCCI and others, transmit from the same tower site about 16 miles southwest of Nevada (212° SSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Nevada at fair strength or better, all arrive from the southwest, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Nevada, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Nevada
The farthest main network tower for Nevada is KCCI (CBS), 17 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
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 Nevada
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K31PO-DTranslator | 16 mi | 146° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 16 mi | 212° SSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 16 mi | 212° SSW | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 17 mi | 210° SSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 19 mi | 139° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 19 mi | 139° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 19 mi | 139° SE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 29 mi | 212° SSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 31 mi | 197° SSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K17MH-DLow power | 59 mi | 34° NNE | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
How Nevada compares with the rest of Iowa
With 15 stations at fair strength or better, Nevada ranks 25th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 16 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 Ames, 8.6 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Nevada: 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 211° SSW, the direction of KCCI (CBS), 17 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 15 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 Nevada, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 17 miles SSW of Nevada. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Nevada, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 17 miles SSW of Nevada. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Nevada, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 17 miles SSW of Nevada. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Nevada, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles SSW of Nevada. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Nevada, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles SSW of Nevada. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Nevada?
16 transmitters within 70 miles of Nevada; around 15 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 Nevada?
Point your antenna SSW, at about 210°. The main network towers for Nevada sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Nevada?
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 Nevada?
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 Nevada?
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
- Ames8.6 mi
- Huxley12 mi
- Story City14 mi
- State Center15 mi
- Baxter21 mi
- Ankeny22 mi
- Boone22 mi
- Centerville25 mi
- Altoona26 mi
- Johnston27 mi
- Marshalltown28 mi
- Grimes29 mi
- Eldora30 mi
- Des Moines30 mi
- Urbandale30 mi
- Newton31 mi
- Pleasant Hill31 mi
- Clive32 mi
- Conrad33 mi
- West Des Moines34 mi
- Perry36 mi
- Iowa Falls36 mi
- Webster City36 mi
- Waukee36 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 Nevada; signal estimates ignore terrain.