TV channels & antenna towers in Clay Center, Kansas
Clay Center has 16 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. About 1 station should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KAAS-TV (Fox), 24 miles to the SW.
Network channels in Clay Center
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXKAAS-TVFox | 17 | 24 mi | 217° SW | Good | Salina, KS |
| NBCKSNL-LDNBC | 6 | 47 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Salina, KS |
| ABCKHDS-LDABC | 29 | 47 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Salina, KS |
| CBSWIBW-TVCBS | 13 | 63 mi | 114° ESE | Weak | Topeka, KS |
| FOXKTMJ-CDFox | 43 | 69 mi | 110° ESE | Poor | Topeka, KS |
| CWKTKA-TVCW | 49.3 | 69 mi | 110° ESE | Weak | Topeka, KS |
Over-the-air TV in Clay Center
Clay Center is a town of about 4,170 people in Kansas. There are 16 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 3 full-power, 1 Class A, 10 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 1 is likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 1 at good or strong strength.
1 of them is within 25 miles of Clay Center, 4 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 11 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Salina, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Salina's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 29 (KHDS-LD), CBS on channel 13 (WIBW-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KSNL-LD), Fox on channel 17 (KAAS-TV) and CW on channel 49.3 (KTKA-TV).
Which way to point your antenna in Clay Center
The main network towers around Clay Center are in different directions: CBS 114° ESE (63 mi) and Fox 217° SW (24 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Two network stations, KTMJ-CD and KTKA-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 69 miles east of Clay Center (110° ESE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
WIBW-TV (CBS) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Clay Center. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Clay Center
The farthest main network tower for Clay Center is WIBW-TV (CBS), 63 miles away with a weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
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 Clay Center
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K36IO-DLow power | 29 mi | 111° ESE | Weak | Manhattan, KS |
| K32JQ-DLow power | 29 mi | 111° ESE | Weak | Manhattan, KS |
| K29OC-DLow power | 29 mi | 111° ESE | Weak | Chapman, KS |
| KKSU-LDLow power | 32 mi | 113° ESE | Weak | Manhattan, KS |
| K26PI-DLow power | 49 mi | 168° SSE | Poor | Kansas City, KS |
| KQKC-LDLow power | 56 mi | 112° ESE | Poor | Topeka, KS |
| K23AA-DTranslator | 59 mi | 11° N | Poor | Beatrice, NE |
| K22OA-DLow power | 63 mi | 114° ESE | Poor | Topeka, KS |
| KWBE-LDLow power | 64 mi | 17° NNE | Poor | Beatrice, NE |
| K33AC-DTranslator | 69 mi | 36° NE | Poor | Pawnee City, NE |
How Clay Center compares with the rest of Kansas
With 1 station at fair strength or better, Clay Center ranks 194th of 216 places in Kansas: fewer than the typical Kansas town (8). Its nearest major network tower is 24 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
36% of Kansas's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Junction City, 29 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Clay Center: 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 114° ESE, the direction of WIBW-TV (CBS), 63 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 1 station, 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 Clay Center, KS?
ABC is on channel 29 from KHDS-LD, broadcasting from 47 miles SW of Clay Center. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is CBS in Clay Center, KS?
CBS is on channel 13 from WIBW-TV, broadcasting from 63 miles ESE of Clay Center. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is NBC in Clay Center, KS?
NBC is on channel 6 from KSNL-LD, broadcasting from 47 miles SW of Clay Center. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is Fox in Clay Center, KS?
Fox is on channel 17 from KAAS-TV, broadcasting from 24 miles SW of Clay Center. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Clay Center, KS?
CW is on channel 49.3 from KTKA-TV, broadcasting from 69 miles ESE of Clay Center. Estimated signal: weak.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Clay Center?
16 transmitters within 70 miles of Clay Center; around 1 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 Clay Center?
The main network towers around Clay Center are in different directions: CBS 114° ESE (63 mi) and Fox 217° SW (24 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Clay Center?
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 103° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Clay Center?
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 Clay Center?
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 Kansas cities
- Fort Riley North25 mi
- Chapman28 mi
- Junction City29 mi
- Ogden29 mi
- Grandview Plaza30 mi
- Washington31 mi
- Concordia32 mi
- Abilene32 mi
- Manhattan32 mi
- Solomon34 mi
- Minneapolis36 mi
- Westmoreland38 mi
- Marysville41 mi
- Belleville41 mi
- Salina45 mi
- Wamego45 mi
More: all TV stations in Kansas · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Clay Center; signal estimates ignore terrain.