TV channels & antenna towers in Rock Valley, Iowa

Rock Valley has 29 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, Fox, CW and ION. About 15 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K33PV-D, 13 miles to the NNE.

29TV transmitters within 70 miles
4networks over the air
13 mito the closest tower
3,693population

Network channels in Rock Valley

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXKDLT-TVFox46.2 25 mi328° NNW GoodSioux Falls, SD
CWKELO-TVCW11.4 25 mi331° NNW FairSioux Falls, SD
ABCKSFY-TVABC13 25 mi331° NNW FairSioux Falls, SD
IONKSFL-TVION36 25 mi326° NW FairSioux Falls, SD
ABCKCAU-TVABC9 43 mi176° S FairSioux City, IA
CWKTIVCW4.2 43 mi175° S GoodSioux City, IA
FOXKPTHFox44 43 mi175° S GoodSioux City, IA

Over-the-air TV in Rock Valley

Rock Valley is a town of about 3,690 people in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 29 licensed TV transmitters: 13 full-power, 14 low-power and 2 translators. 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, 9 transmitters are within 25 miles, 11 between 25 and 45 miles, and 9 farther out. Four of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Sioux Falls, SD, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Sioux Falls's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 13 (KSFY-TV), Fox on channel 46.2 (KDLT-TV), CW on channel 4.2 (KTIV) and ION on channel 36 (KSFL-TV). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KMTV-TV in Omaha, NE, 132 miles to the south. No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WOWT in Omaha, NE, 132 miles to the south. 6 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 Rock Valley

Point your antenna NNW, at about 329°. The main network towers for Rock Valley sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Four network stations, KDLT-TV, KELO-TV, KSFY-TV and KSFL-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 25 miles northwest of Rock Valley (328° NNW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Rock Valley at fair strength or better, 57% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Rock Valley

The farthest main network tower for Rock Valley is KSFY-TV (ABC), 25 miles away with a fair 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 Rock Valley

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
K33PV-DTranslator13 mi 23° NNEFairRock Rapids, IA
K22KD-DLow power25 mi 328° NNWWeakSioux Falls, SD
K06QJ-DLow power25 mi 328° NNWWeakSioux Falls, SD
KABY-LDLow power25 mi 331° NNWFairSioux Falls, SD
KTTWFull power25 mi 326° NWFairSioux Falls, SD
KUSD-TVFull power27 mi 247° WSWGoodVermillion, SD
KCPO-LDLow power31 mi 321° NWWeakSioux Falls, SD
KCSD-TVFull power31 mi 325° NWFairSioux Falls, SD
KAUN-LDLow power32 mi 316° NWPoorSioux Falls, SD
KCWS-LDLow power32 mi 316° NWPoorSioux Falls, SD
K26JI-DTranslator34 mi 66° ENEWeakSibley, IA
K18MO-DLow power42 mi 47° NEPoorWorthington, MN
KMEGFull power43 mi 175° SGoodSioux City, IA
K31PP-DLow power46 mi 185° SPoorSioux City, IA
K27LD-DLow power47 mi 185° SPoorSalix, IA
KSIN-TVFull power48 mi 181° SGoodSioux City, IA
KSXF-LDLow power48 mi 328° NNWPoorSioux Falls, SD
KSMNFull power51 mi 20° NNEFairWorthington, MN
KBWF-LDLow power51 mi 187° SPoorSioux City, IA
K16NY-DLow power51 mi 187° SPoorSioux City, IA
K18KG-DLow power66 mi 87° EPoorSpencer, IA
KBVK-LDLow power66 mi 87° EPoorSpencer, IA

How Rock Valley compares with the rest of Iowa

With 15 stations at fair strength or better, Rock Valley ranks 25th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 25 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 Sioux Falls, 31 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Rock Valley: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 331° NNW, the direction of KSFY-TV (ABC), 25 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. 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.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Rock Valley, IA?

ABC is on channel 13 from KSFY-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles NNW of Rock Valley. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is Fox in Rock Valley, IA?

Fox is on channel 46.2 from KDLT-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles NNW of Rock Valley. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Rock Valley, IA?

CW is on channel 4.2 from KTIV, broadcasting from 43 miles S of Rock Valley. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Rock Valley?

29 transmitters within 70 miles of Rock Valley; 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 Rock Valley?

Point your antenna NNW, at about 329°. The main network towers for Rock Valley sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Rock Valley?

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 Rock Valley?

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 Rock Valley?

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

Nearby cities in other states

More: all TV stations in Iowa · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Rock Valley; signal estimates ignore terrain.