TV channels & antenna towers in Winterset, Iowa
Winterset has 16 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 K32NM-D, 27 miles to the NNE.
Network channels in Winterset
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 39 mi | 31° NNE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 39 mi | 31° NNE | Good | Newton, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 39 mi | 32° NNE | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 39 mi | 32° NNE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 40 mi | 31° NNE | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 40 mi | 31° NNE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Winterset
With roughly 5,180 residents, Winterset is a town in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 16 licensed TV transmitters: 9 full-power, 2 Class A, 4 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Winterset, 11 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 5 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Des Moines, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Des Moines's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 5 (WOI-DT), CBS on channel 8 (KCCI), NBC on channel 13 (WHO-DT), Fox on channel 17 (KDSM-TV), CW on channel 23 (KCWI-TV) and ION on channel 39 (KFPX-TV). 3 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 Winterset
Point your antenna NNE, at about 31°. The main network towers for Winterset sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KCCI, KFPX-TV, WOI-DT, WHO-DT and KCWI-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 39 miles northeast of Winterset (31° NNE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Winterset at fair strength or better, all arrive from the northeast, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Winterset, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Winterset
The farthest main network tower for Winterset is KDSM-TV (Fox), 40 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
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 Winterset
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K32NM-DLow power | 27 mi | 30° NNE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 27 mi | 48° NE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 39 mi | 32° NNE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 40 mi | 31° NNE | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 40 mi | 31° NNE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 51 mi | 47° NE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 53 mi | 51° NE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 53 mi | 51° NE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 53 mi | 51° NE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KHINFull power | 64 mi | 271° W | Good | Red Oak, IA |
How Winterset compares with the rest of Iowa
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Winterset ranks 109th of 285 places in Iowa: the same as the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 39 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 West Des Moines, 23 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Winterset: 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 31° NNE, the direction of KDSM-TV (Fox), 40 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 Winterset, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 39 miles NNE of Winterset. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Winterset, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 39 miles NNE of Winterset. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Winterset, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 39 miles NNE of Winterset. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Winterset, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 40 miles NNE of Winterset. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Winterset, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 40 miles NNE of Winterset. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Winterset?
16 transmitters within 70 miles of Winterset; 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 Winterset?
Point your antenna NNE, at about 31°. The main network towers for Winterset sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Winterset?
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 Winterset?
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 Winterset?
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
- Earlham13 mi
- Stuart20 mi
- Norwalk20 mi
- Waukee21 mi
- West Des Moines23 mi
- Greenfield23 mi
- Indianola24 mi
- Clive24 mi
- Osceola24 mi
- Urbandale26 mi
- Creston26 mi
- Grimes27 mi
- Des Moines28 mi
- Johnston29 mi
- Pleasant Hill31 mi
- Ankeny35 mi
- Guthrie Center35 mi
- Perry35 mi
- Altoona36 mi
- Pleasantville39 mi
- Melcher-Dallas41 mi
- Lenox42 mi
- Chariton43 mi
- Leon43 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 Winterset; signal estimates ignore terrain.