TV channels & antenna towers in Northwood, Iowa

Northwood is a small community of about 2,000 people in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 34 licensed TV transmitters: 7 full-power, 1 Class A, 16 low-power and 10 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 21 between 25 and 45 miles, and 10 farther out. Two of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Rochester, MN, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rochester's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 6 (KAAL), CBS on channel 3 (KIMT), Fox on channel 47 (KXLT-TV) and CW on channel 10.2 (KTTC). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KWWL in Waterloo, IA, 100 miles to the southeast. 2 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Point your antenna ENE, at about 74°. The main network towers for Northwood sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Two network stations, KAAL and KXLT-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 37 miles east of Northwood (68° ENE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Northwood at fair strength or better, all arrive from the east, so this is an easy place to aim.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Northwood, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

The farthest main network tower for Northwood is KXLT-TV (Fox), 37 miles away with a fair 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.

With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Northwood ranks 219th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 26 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 Austin, 20 miles away.