TV channels & antenna towers in Tama, Iowa
Tama has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 15 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KFXA, 27 miles to the ENE.
Network channels in Tama
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONKPXR-TVION | 48 | 42 mi | 57° ENE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKCRG-TVCW | 9.3 | 44 mi | 56° ENE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| FOXKGANFox | 2.2 | 44 mi | 56° ENE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| NBCKWWLNBC | 7 | 48 mi | 51° NE | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 54 mi | 260° W | Fair | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 54 mi | 260° W | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 54 mi | 259° W | Weak | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 54 mi | 259° W | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 55 mi | 259° W | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 55 mi | 259° W | Fair | Newton, IA |
| CWKYOU-TVCW | 15.4 | 62 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Ottumwa, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Tama
Tama is a town of about 2,820 people in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 26 licensed TV transmitters: 17 full-power, 2 Class A, 6 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 15 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Tama, 10 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 16 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 11 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 strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 5 (WOI-DT), CBS on channel 8 (KCCI), 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). 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 Tama
The main network towers around Tama are in different directions: ABC 259° W (54 mi), CBS 259° W (55 mi), NBC 51° NE (48 mi) and Fox 56° ENE (44 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 42 miles northeast of Tama (57° ENE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Tama at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Tama, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Tama
The farthest main network tower for Tama is KCCI (CBS), 55 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
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 Tama
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KFXAFull power | 27 mi | 71° ENE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 34 mi | 253° WSW | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 34 mi | 253° WSW | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 34 mi | 253° WSW | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 37 mi | 256° WSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KFKZ-LDLow power | 42 mi | 58° ENE | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KRINFull power | 44 mi | 56° ENE | Good | Waterloo, IA |
| K17MH-DLow power | 54 mi | 347° NNW | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 54 mi | 260° W | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 54 mi | 260° W | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 54 mi | 259° W | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 60 mi | 244° WSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 64 mi | 251° WSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 65 mi | 104° ESE | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KIINFull power | 66 mi | 105° ESE | Weak | Iowa City, IA |
How Tama compares with the rest of Iowa
With 15 stations at fair strength or better, Tama ranks 25th of 285 places in Iowa: more 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 Marshalltown, 18 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Tama: 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 259° W, the direction of KCCI (CBS), 55 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 15 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 Tama, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 54 miles W of Tama. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CBS in Tama, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 55 miles W of Tama. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Tama, IA?
NBC is on channel 7 from KWWL, broadcasting from 48 miles NE of Tama. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Tama, IA?
Fox is on channel 2.2 from KGAN, broadcasting from 44 miles ENE of Tama. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Tama, IA?
CW is on channel 9.3 from KCRG-TV, broadcasting from 44 miles ENE of Tama. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Tama?
26 transmitters within 70 miles of Tama; around 15 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 Tama?
The main network towers around Tama are in different directions: ABC 259° W (54 mi), CBS 259° W (55 mi), NBC 51° NE (48 mi) and Fox 56° ENE (44 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Tama?
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 158° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Tama?
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 Tama?
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
- Belle Plaine16 mi
- Traer17 mi
- Grinnell17 mi
- Brooklyn17 mi
- Marshalltown18 mi
- Conrad23 mi
- Montezuma26 mi
- Marengo29 mi
- Grundy Center29 mi
- State Center30 mi
- Newton30 mi
- La Porte City31 mi
- Baxter31 mi
- Vinton32 mi
- Dike34 mi
- New Sharon35 mi
- Williamsburg36 mi
- Eldora38 mi
- Waterloo38 mi
- Cedar Falls39 mi
- North English41 mi
- Monroe41 mi
- Fairfax41 mi
- Pella42 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 Tama; signal estimates ignore terrain.