TV channels & antenna towers in West Branch, Iowa
West Branch has 20 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 KIIN, 3.4 miles to the N.
Network channels in West Branch
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKYOU-TVCW | 15.4 | 46 mi | 224° SW | Good | Ottumwa, IA |
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 46 mi | 101° E | Good | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 46 mi | 101° E | Fair | Rock Island, IL |
| IONKPXR-TVION | 48 | 51 mi | 327° NNW | Fair | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKCRG-TVCW | 9.3 | 52 mi | 330° NNW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| FOXKGANFox | 2.2 | 52 mi | 330° NNW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 55 mi | 115° ESE | Good | Burlington, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 56 mi | 116° ESE | Good | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 56 mi | 116° ESE | Good | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 56 mi | 116° ESE | Weak | Galesburg, IL |
| NBCKWWLNBC | 7 | 56 mi | 333° NNW | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
Over-the-air TV in West Branch
With roughly 2,340 residents, West Branch is a small community in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 20 licensed TV transmitters: 18 full-power and 2 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 15 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.
2 of them are within 25 miles of West Branch, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 17 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.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 8 (WQAD-TV), CBS on channel 4 (WHBF-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 2.2 (KGAN), CW on channel 9.3 (KCRG-TV), ION on channel 48 (KPXR-TV) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 7 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 West Branch
The main network towers around West Branch are in different directions: ABC 116° ESE (56 mi), CBS 101° E (46 mi), NBC 101° E (46 mi) and Fox 330° NNW (52 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, KGCW, KLJB, WQAD-TV and WMWC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 55 miles southeast of West Branch (115° ESE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach West Branch at fair strength or better, 40% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across three other directions.
WQAD-TV (ABC) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from West Branch. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for West Branch
The farthest main network tower for West Branch is WQAD-TV (ABC), 56 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
KIIN is only 3.4 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Other stations near West Branch
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIINFull power | 3.4 mi | 4° N | Strong | Iowa City, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 3.7 mi | 355° N | Strong | Iowa City, IA |
| K33QA-DLow power | 37 mi | 108° ESE | Weak | Davenport, IA |
| KFXAFull power | 48 mi | 307° NW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| KFKZ-LDLow power | 51 mi | 327° NNW | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KRINFull power | 52 mi | 330° NNW | Good | Waterloo, IA |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 56 mi | 116° ESE | Good | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 56 mi | 116° ESE | Weak | Davenport, IA |
| KFXB-TVFull power | 69 mi | 32° NNE | Poor | Dubuque, IA |
How West Branch compares with the rest of Iowa
With 15 stations at fair strength or better, West Branch ranks 25th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 46 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 Iowa City, 9.5 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in West Branch: 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 116° ESE, the direction of WQAD-TV (ABC), 56 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 West Branch, IA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 56 miles ESE of West Branch. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in West Branch, IA?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 46 miles E of West Branch. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in West Branch, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 46 miles E of West Branch. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in West Branch, IA?
Fox is on channel 2.2 from KGAN, broadcasting from 52 miles NNW of West Branch. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in West Branch, IA?
CW is on channel 9.3 from KCRG-TV, broadcasting from 52 miles NNW of West Branch. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in West Branch?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of West Branch; 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 West Branch?
The main network towers around West Branch are in different directions: ABC 116° ESE (56 mi), CBS 101° E (46 mi), NBC 101° E (46 mi) and Fox 330° NNW (52 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in West Branch?
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 146° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in West Branch?
KIIN is only 3.4 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Is there an app to find TV towers in West Branch?
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
- West Liberty8.2 mi
- Iowa City9.5 mi
- Coralville12 mi
- Tipton13 mi
- Lone Tree13 mi
- North Liberty14 mi
- Mount Vernon18 mi
- Wilton18 mi
- Kalona23 mi
- Muscatine23 mi
- Columbus Junction27 mi
- Cedar Rapids28 mi
- Fairfax28 mi
- Marion28 mi
- Anamosa30 mi
- Hiawatha31 mi
- Washington31 mi
- Blue Grass32 mi
- Williamsburg34 mi
- Wapello35 mi
- Central City38 mi
- Winfield38 mi
- Marengo38 mi
- North English39 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 West Branch; signal estimates ignore terrain.