TV channels & antenna towers in Shell Rock, Iowa
Shell Rock has 24 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 K17MH-D, 12 miles to the W.
Network channels in Shell Rock
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKWWLNBC | 7 | 43 mi | 119° ESE | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| IONKPXR-TVION | 48 | 46 mi | 129° SE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKCRG-TVCW | 9.3 | 46 mi | 126° SE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| FOXKGANFox | 2.2 | 46 mi | 126° SE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CBSKIMTCBS | 3 | 53 mi | 353° N | Good | Mason City, IA |
| CWKTTCCW | 10.2 | 60 mi | 7° N | Fair | Rochester, MN |
| ABCKAALABC | 6 | 64 mi | 3° N | Fair | Austin, MN |
| FOXKXLT-TVFox | 47 | 64 mi | 3° N | Weak | Rochester, MN |
Over-the-air TV in Shell Rock
Shell Rock is a small community of about 1,320 people in Iowa. There are 24 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 12 full-power, 10 low-power and 2 translators. 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.
1 of them is within 25 miles of Shell Rock, 4 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 19 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 8 network stations in range are licensed to Cedar Rapids, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Cedar Rapids's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 6 (KAAL), CBS on channel 3 (KIMT), NBC on channel 7 (KWWL), Fox on channel 2.2 (KGAN), CW on channel 9.3 (KCRG-TV) and ION on channel 48 (KPXR-TV). 4 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 Shell Rock
The main network towers around Shell Rock are in different directions: ABC 3° N (64 mi), CBS 353° N (53 mi), NBC 119° ESE (43 mi) and Fox 126° SE (46 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Three network stations, KPXR-TV, KCRG-TV and KGAN, transmit from the same tower site about 46 miles southeast of Shell Rock (129° SE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Shell Rock at fair strength or better, 57% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
KAAL (ABC) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Shell Rock. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Shell Rock
The farthest main network tower for Shell Rock is KAAL (ABC), 64 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.
Other stations near Shell Rock
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K17MH-DLow power | 12 mi | 277° W | Fair | Cedar Falls, IA |
| K30QY-DLow power | 41 mi | 321° NW | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| K22LJ-DLow power | 41 mi | 321° NW | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| K35PA-DLow power | 41 mi | 321° NW | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| KRINFull power | 46 mi | 126° SE | Good | Waterloo, IA |
| KFKZ-LDLow power | 46 mi | 129° SE | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KFXAFull power | 50 mi | 149° SSE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| KYINFull power | 53 mi | 353° N | Good | Mason City, IA |
| K25PE-DTranslator | 59 mi | 44° NE | Poor | Decorah, IA |
| KSMQ-TVFull power | 64 mi | 3° N | Weak | Austin, MN |
| K35PC-DLow power | 64 mi | 3° N | Poor | Rochester, MN |
| K27OW-DTranslator | 68 mi | 349° N | Poor | Rochester, MN |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 69 mi | 208° SSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 69 mi | 208° SSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 69 mi | 208° SSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K30RA-DLow power | 70 mi | 356° N | Poor | Dexter, MN |
How Shell Rock compares with the rest of Iowa
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Shell Rock ranks 109th of 285 places in Iowa: the same as the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 43 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 Cedar Falls, 14 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Shell Rock: 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 3° N, the direction of KAAL (ABC), 64 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 Shell Rock, IA?
ABC is on channel 6 from KAAL, broadcasting from 64 miles N of Shell Rock. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Shell Rock, IA?
CBS is on channel 3 from KIMT, broadcasting from 53 miles N of Shell Rock. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Shell Rock, IA?
NBC is on channel 7 from KWWL, broadcasting from 43 miles ESE of Shell Rock. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Shell Rock, IA?
Fox is on channel 2.2 from KGAN, broadcasting from 46 miles SE of Shell Rock. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Shell Rock, IA?
CW is on channel 9.3 from KCRG-TV, broadcasting from 46 miles SE of Shell Rock. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Shell Rock?
24 transmitters within 70 miles of Shell Rock; 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 Shell Rock?
The main network towers around Shell Rock are in different directions: ABC 3° N (64 mi), CBS 353° N (53 mi), NBC 119° ESE (43 mi) and Fox 126° SE (46 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Shell Rock?
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 133° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Shell Rock?
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 Shell Rock?
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
- Waverly5.6 mi
- Clarksville6.7 mi
- Parkersburg14 mi
- Cedar Falls14 mi
- Nashua17 mi
- Greene17 mi
- Dike17 mi
- Waterloo19 mi
- Charles City25 mi
- Grundy Center26 mi
- Ackley26 mi
- Sumner27 mi
- New Hampton28 mi
- Hampton32 mi
- La Porte City34 mi
- Oelwein34 mi
- Sheffield34 mi
- Eldora36 mi
- Traer36 mi
- Iowa Falls36 mi
- Conrad37 mi
- Nora Springs37 mi
- Independence39 mi
- Osage41 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 Shell Rock; signal estimates ignore terrain.