TV channels & antenna towers in Preston, Iowa
Preston has 20 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KFXB-TV, 34 miles to the NNW.
Network channels in Preston
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 35 mi | 185° S | Good | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 35 mi | 185° S | Fair | Rock Island, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 50 mi | 178° S | Good | Burlington, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 51 mi | 178° S | Good | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 51 mi | 178° S | Good | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 51 mi | 178° S | Fair | Galesburg, IL |
| NBCWREXNBC | 13 | 63 mi | 74° ENE | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| FOXWQRF-TVFox | 39 | 66 mi | 75° ENE | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| ABCWTVOABC | 17 | 66 mi | 75° ENE | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo | 23 | 66 mi | 75° ENE | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CBSWIFR-LDCBS | 23 | 66 mi | 75° ENE | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CWWSLNCW | 19 | 66 mi | 75° ENE | Poor | Freeport, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Preston
Preston, Iowa has a population of about 1,010. Our map shows 20 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 15 full-power, 4 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Preston, 5 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 15 are more than 45 miles out. Five of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Rockford, IL, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rockford'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), Telemundo on channel 23 (WFBN-LD) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (very weak signal). 5 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 Preston
Point your antenna S, at about 185°. The main network towers for Preston sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Two network stations, KWQC-TV and WHBF-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 35 miles south of Preston (185° S). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Preston at fair strength or better, all arrive from the south, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Preston, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Preston
The farthest main network tower for Preston is KWQC-TV (NBC), 35 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
WQAD-TV (ABC), 51 miles south and KLJB (Fox), 51 miles south, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for those.
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 Preston
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KFXB-TVFull power | 34 mi | 342° NNW | Good | Dubuque, IA |
| K33QA-DLow power | 40 mi | 199° SSW | Poor | Davenport, IA |
| W27EJ-DLow power | 43 mi | 104° ESE | Poor | Sterling, IL |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 51 mi | 178° S | Good | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 51 mi | 178° S | Fair | Davenport, IA |
| KIINFull power | 53 mi | 245° WSW | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 53 mi | 245° WSW | Good | Iowa City, IA |
| W16DU-DTranslator | 65 mi | 335° NNW | Poor | Bloomington, WI |
How Preston compares with the rest of Iowa
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Preston ranks 109th of 285 places in Iowa: the same as the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 35 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 Clinton, 18 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Preston: 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 185° S, the direction of KWQC-TV (NBC), 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 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 Preston, IA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 51 miles S of Preston. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Preston, IA?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 35 miles S of Preston. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Preston, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 35 miles S of Preston. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Preston, IA?
Fox is on channel 18 from KLJB, broadcasting from 51 miles S of Preston. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Preston, IA?
CW is on channel 26 from KGCW, broadcasting from 50 miles S of Preston. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Preston?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of Preston; around 11 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 Preston?
Point your antenna S, at about 185°. The main network towers for Preston sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Preston?
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. Picking up ABC and Fox from up to 51 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Preston?
WQAD-TV (ABC), 51 miles south and KLJB (Fox), 51 miles south, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for those.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Preston?
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
- Maquoketa13 mi
- Bellevue14 mi
- De Witt17 mi
- Clinton18 mi
- Eldridge28 mi
- Dubuque34 mi
- Cascade35 mi
- Asbury36 mi
- Bettendorf37 mi
- Davenport37 mi
- Epworth38 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Savanna, IL14 mi
- Galena, IL25 mi
- Morrison, IL28 mi
- Stockton, IL29 mi
- Georgetown, IL31 mi
- Prophetstown, IL36 mi
- Silvis, IL37 mi
- Shullsburg, WI37 mi
- Warren, IL38 mi
- Lena, IL38 mi
- Moline, IL38 mi
- East Moline, IL38 mi
- Rock Island, IL38 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 Preston; signal estimates ignore terrain.