TV channels & antenna towers in Wapello, Iowa
Wapello has 17 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Trinity. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K33QA-D, 35 miles to the NE.
Network channels in Wapello
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKYOU-TVCW | 15.4 | 40 mi | 272° W | Good | Ottumwa, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 43 mi | 78° ENE | Good | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 43 mi | 78° ENE | Good | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 43 mi | 78° ENE | Fair | Galesburg, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 43 mi | 76° ENE | Good | Burlington, IA |
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 45 mi | 55° NE | Good | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 45 mi | 55° NE | Fair | Rock Island, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Wapello
Wapello, Iowa has a population of about 2,040. Our map shows 17 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 12 full-power, 1 low-power and 4 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Wapello, 13 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 4 are more than 45 miles out. Two of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Davenport, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Davenport's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 8 (WQAD-TV), CBS on channel 4 (WHBF-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 18 (KLJB), CW on channel 26 (KGCW) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 5 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 Wapello
Point your antenna ENE, at about 66°. The main network towers for Wapello sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Four network stations, KLJB, WQAD-TV, WMWC-TV and KGCW, transmit from the same tower site about 43 miles east of Wapello (78° ENE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Wapello at fair strength or better, 57% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Wapello, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Wapello
The farthest main network tower for Wapello is KWQC-TV (NBC), 45 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
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 Wapello
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K33QA-DLow power | 35 mi | 50° NE | Weak | Davenport, IA |
| KIINFull power | 38 mi | 348° NNW | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 39 mi | 347° NNW | Good | Iowa City, IA |
| K28JD-DTranslator | 40 mi | 199° SSW | Poor | Fort Madison, IA |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 43 mi | 78° ENE | Good | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 43 mi | 78° ENE | Good | Davenport, IA |
| K24IM-DTranslator | 51 mi | 231° SW | Poor | Keosauqua, IA |
| K18NZ-DTranslator | 54 mi | 192° SSW | Poor | Keokuk, IA |
| WMECFull power | 59 mi | 156° SSE | Poor | Macomb, IL |
| K18GU-DTranslator | 64 mi | 257° WSW | Poor | Ottumwa, IA |
How Wapello compares with the rest of Iowa
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Wapello ranks 109th of 285 places in Iowa: the same as the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 40 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 Muscatine, 18 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Wapello: 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 55° NE, the direction of KWQC-TV (NBC), 45 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 Wapello, IA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 43 miles ENE of Wapello. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Wapello, IA?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 45 miles NE of Wapello. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Wapello, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 45 miles NE of Wapello. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Wapello, IA?
Fox is on channel 18 from KLJB, broadcasting from 43 miles ENE of Wapello. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Wapello, IA?
CW is on channel 26 from KGCW, broadcasting from 43 miles ENE of Wapello. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Wapello?
17 transmitters within 70 miles of Wapello; around 11 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 Wapello?
Point your antenna ENE, at about 66°. The main network towers for Wapello sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Wapello?
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 Wapello?
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 Wapello?
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
- Columbus Junction11 mi
- Mediapolis12 mi
- Winfield14 mi
- Muscatine18 mi
- Mount Pleasant25 mi
- Lone Tree25 mi
- Burlington26 mi
- West Liberty27 mi
- Washington28 mi
- Wilton29 mi
- Blue Grass31 mi
- Kalona34 mi
- Iowa City38 mi
- Fort Madison39 mi
- Davenport39 mi
- Coralville40 mi
- Tipton41 mi
- Bettendorf42 mi
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 Wapello; signal estimates ignore terrain.