TV channels & antenna towers in Traer, Iowa
Traer has 23 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KFXA, 21 miles to the ESE.
Network channels in Traer
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONKPXR-TVION | 48 | 30 mi | 76° ENE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKCRG-TVCW | 9.3 | 32 mi | 75° ENE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| FOXKGANFox | 2.2 | 32 mi | 75° ENE | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| NBCKWWLNBC | 7 | 35 mi | 66° ENE | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 64 mi | 247° WSW | Fair | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 64 mi | 247° WSW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 65 mi | 246° WSW | Weak | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 65 mi | 246° WSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 65 mi | 246° WSW | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 65 mi | 246° WSW | Fair | Newton, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Traer
With roughly 1,660 residents, Traer is a small community in Iowa. Our map shows 23 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 16 full-power, 1 Class A, 5 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
1 of them is within 25 miles of Traer, 7 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 15 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 10 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 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 Traer
Point your antenna ENE, at about 70°. The main network towers for Traer sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, KPXR-TV, KCRG-TV and KGAN, transmit from the same tower site about 30 miles east of Traer (76° ENE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Traer at fair strength or better, 56% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Traer, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Traer
The farthest main network tower for Traer is KWWL (NBC), 35 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
WOI-DT (ABC), 65 miles southwest and KCCI (CBS), 65 miles southwest, 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 Traer
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 | 21 mi | 110° ESE | Strong | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| KFKZ-LDLow power | 31 mi | 77° ENE | Fair | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KRINFull power | 32 mi | 75° ENE | Good | Waterloo, IA |
| K17MH-DLow power | 41 mi | 335° NNW | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 46 mi | 236° SW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 46 mi | 236° SW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 46 mi | 236° SW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 49 mi | 240° WSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 64 mi | 247° WSW | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 64 mi | 247° WSW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 65 mi | 246° WSW | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 66 mi | 119° ESE | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KIINFull power | 66 mi | 119° ESE | Weak | Iowa City, IA |
How Traer compares with the rest of Iowa
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Traer ranks 50th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 30 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 Waterloo, 22 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Traer: 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 66° ENE, the direction of KWWL (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 14 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 Traer, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 65 miles WSW of Traer. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CBS in Traer, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 65 miles WSW of Traer. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Traer, IA?
NBC is on channel 7 from KWWL, broadcasting from 35 miles ENE of Traer. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Traer, IA?
Fox is on channel 2.2 from KGAN, broadcasting from 32 miles ENE of Traer. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Traer, IA?
CW is on channel 9.3 from KCRG-TV, broadcasting from 32 miles ENE of Traer. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Traer?
23 transmitters within 70 miles of Traer; around 14 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 Traer?
Point your antenna ENE, at about 70°. The main network towers for Traer sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Traer?
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 CBS from up to 65 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Traer?
WOI-DT (ABC), 65 miles southwest and KCCI (CBS), 65 miles southwest, 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 Traer?
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
- La Porte City16 mi
- Tama17 mi
- Grundy Center19 mi
- Dike20 mi
- Conrad21 mi
- Waterloo22 mi
- Belle Plaine23 mi
- Vinton23 mi
- Cedar Falls23 mi
- Marshalltown25 mi
- Parkersburg31 mi
- Brooklyn32 mi
- Grinnell34 mi
- Marengo34 mi
- Eldora34 mi
- Center Point35 mi
- Independence35 mi
- Waverly37 mi
- State Center38 mi
- Ackley39 mi
- Fairfax40 mi
- Hiawatha42 mi
- Montezuma42 mi
- Clarksville42 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 Traer; signal estimates ignore terrain.