TV channels & antenna towers in Rockwell, Iowa

Rockwell is a small community of about 1,020 people in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 26 licensed TV transmitters: 7 full-power, 9 low-power and 10 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 3 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 20 farther out. Two of the 4 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 strongest network signals here 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, 79 miles to the southeast. 3 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 NE, at about 36°. The main network towers for Rockwell 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 56 miles northeast of Rockwell (36° NE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

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

KAAL (ABC) and KXLT-TV (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Rockwell. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

The farthest main network tower for Rockwell is KXLT-TV (Fox), 56 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

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.

With 9 stations at fair strength or better, Rockwell ranks 178th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 42 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 Mason City, 12 miles away.