TV channels & antenna towers in Oskaloosa, Iowa
Oskaloosa has 20 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K18GU-D, 27 miles to the SSE.
Network channels in Oskaloosa
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKYOU-TVCW | 15.4 | 37 mi | 101° E | Good | Ottumwa, IA |
| ABCKTVOABC | 3 | 54 mi | 169° SSE | Fair | Kirksville, MO |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 61 mi | 306° NW | Weak | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 61 mi | 306° NW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 62 mi | 305° NW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 62 mi | 305° NW | Fair | Newton, IA |
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 62 mi | 307° NW | Fair | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 62 mi | 307° NW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Oskaloosa
Oskaloosa, Iowa has a population of about 11,600. Our map shows 20 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 2 Class A, 4 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 18 farther out. Three of the 8 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 3 (KTVO), CBS on channel 8 (KCCI), NBC on channel 13 (WHO-DT), Fox on channel 17 (KDSM-TV), CW on channel 15.4 (KYOU-TV) and ION on channel 39 (KFPX-TV). 3 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 Oskaloosa
The main network towers around Oskaloosa are in different directions: ABC 169° SSE (54 mi), CBS 305° NW (62 mi), NBC 306° NW (61 mi) and Fox 307° NW (62 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Six network stations, WOI-DT, WHO-DT, KCCI, KFPX-TV and KCWI-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 61 miles northwest of Oskaloosa (306° NW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Oskaloosa at fair strength or better, 71% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Oskaloosa, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Oskaloosa
The farthest main network tower for Oskaloosa is KDSM-TV (Fox), 62 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 Oskaloosa
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K18GU-DTranslator | 27 mi | 148° SSE | Fair | Ottumwa, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 46 mi | 321° NW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 46 mi | 321° NW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 46 mi | 321° NW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 50 mi | 319° NW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K24IM-DTranslator | 54 mi | 137° SE | Poor | Keosauqua, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 55 mi | 292° WNW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 61 mi | 306° NW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KFXAFull power | 62 mi | 27° NNE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 62 mi | 307° NW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 62 mi | 307° NW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 63 mi | 294° WNW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
How Oskaloosa compares with the rest of Iowa
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Oskaloosa ranks 109th of 285 places in Iowa: the same as the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 37 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 Ottumwa, 23 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Oskaloosa: 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 307° NW, the direction of KDSM-TV (Fox), 62 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 11 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 Oskaloosa, IA?
ABC is on channel 3 from KTVO, broadcasting from 54 miles SSE of Oskaloosa. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Oskaloosa, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 62 miles NW of Oskaloosa. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Oskaloosa, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 61 miles NW of Oskaloosa. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Oskaloosa, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 62 miles NW of Oskaloosa. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Oskaloosa, IA?
CW is on channel 15.4 from KYOU-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles E of Oskaloosa. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Oskaloosa?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of Oskaloosa; around 11 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 Oskaloosa?
The main network towers around Oskaloosa are in different directions: ABC 169° SSE (54 mi), CBS 305° NW (62 mi), NBC 306° NW (61 mi) and Fox 307° NW (62 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Oskaloosa?
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. The towers are spread over about 138° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Oskaloosa?
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 Oskaloosa?
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
- Eddyville9.7 mi
- New Sharon12 mi
- Pella16 mi
- Albia20 mi
- Montezuma21 mi
- Ottumwa23 mi
- Sigourney23 mi
- Knoxville24 mi
- Monroe28 mi
- Grinnell31 mi
- Melcher-Dallas31 mi
- Brooklyn32 mi
- Pleasantville33 mi
- North English33 mi
- Newton35 mi
- Bloomfield39 mi
- Chariton40 mi
- Centerville41 mi
- Fairfield41 mi
- Williamsburg41 mi
- Baxter45 mi
- Belle Plaine46 mi
- Marengo46 mi
- Tama46 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 Oskaloosa; signal estimates ignore terrain.