TV channels & antenna towers in Iron Mountain, Michigan
Iron Mountain has 13 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. About 5 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W30DZ-D, 18 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Iron Mountain
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWLUC-TVFox | 6.2 | 37 mi | 16° NNE | Fair | Marquette, MI |
| ABCWMOWABC | 4.2 | 43 mi | 247° WSW | Poor | Crandon, WI |
| CWWBUPCW | 10.2 | 47 mi | 10° N | Weak | Ishpeming, MI |
| CBSWZMQCBS | 19.2 | 51 mi | 23° NNE | Weak | Marquette, MI |
| NBCWJFW-TVNBC | 12 | 56 mi | 260° W | Fair | Rhinelander, WI |
| CWWYOWCW | 34 | 57 mi | 267° W | Poor | Eagle River, WI |
| CWWJMN-TVCW | 3.2 | 58 mi | 68° ENE | Good | Escanaba, MI |
Over-the-air TV in Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain is a town of about 7,500 people in Michigan. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 13 licensed TV transmitters: 9 full-power and 4 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 5 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 1 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 9 farther out. Two of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Marquette, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Marquette's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 4.2 (WMOW), CBS on channel 19.2 (WZMQ), NBC on channel 12 (WJFW-TV), Fox on channel 6.2 (WLUC-TV) and CW on channel 3.2 (WJMN-TV). 2 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 Iron Mountain
The main network towers around Iron Mountain are in different directions: ABC 247° WSW (43 mi), CBS 23° NNE (51 mi), NBC 260° W (56 mi) and Fox 16° NNE (37 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
WMOW (ABC) and WZMQ (CBS) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Iron Mountain. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Iron Mountain
The farthest main network tower for Iron Mountain is WJFW-TV (NBC), 56 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
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 Iron Mountain
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W30DZ-DTranslator | 18 mi | 252° WSW | Fair | Fence, WI |
| WNMUFull power | 38 mi | 15° NNE | Fair | Marquette, MI |
| W33EW-DTranslator | 46 mi | 208° SSW | Poor | Rhinelander, WI |
| WNWEFull power | 57 mi | 267° W | Poor | Eagle River, WI |
| W14EM-DTranslator | 60 mi | 33° NNE | Poor | Marquette, MI |
| W17DZ-DTranslator | 62 mi | 130° SE | Poor | Sister Bay, WI |
How Iron Mountain compares with the rest of Michigan
With 5 stations at fair strength or better, Iron Mountain ranks 412th of 447 places in Michigan: fewer than the typical Michigan town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 37 miles away, against a state median of 20 miles.
19% of Michigan's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Iron Mountain: 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 260° W, the direction of WJFW-TV (NBC), 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 5 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 Iron Mountain, MI?
ABC is on channel 4.2 from WMOW, broadcasting from 43 miles WSW of Iron Mountain. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is CBS in Iron Mountain, MI?
CBS is on channel 19.2 from WZMQ, broadcasting from 51 miles NNE of Iron Mountain. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is NBC in Iron Mountain, MI?
NBC is on channel 12 from WJFW-TV, broadcasting from 56 miles W of Iron Mountain. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Iron Mountain, MI?
Fox is on channel 6.2 from WLUC-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles NNE of Iron Mountain. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Iron Mountain, MI?
CW is on channel 3.2 from WJMN-TV, broadcasting from 58 miles ENE of Iron Mountain. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Iron Mountain?
13 transmitters within 70 miles of Iron Mountain; around 5 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 Iron Mountain?
The main network towers around Iron Mountain are in different directions: ABC 247° WSW (43 mi), CBS 23° NNE (51 mi), NBC 260° W (56 mi) and Fox 16° NNE (37 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Iron Mountain?
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 136° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Iron Mountain?
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 Iron Mountain?
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 Michigan cities
- Kingsford1.8 mi
- Quinnesec3.9 mi
- Norway8.1 mi
- Crystal Falls23 mi
- Stambaugh, Iron River32 mi
- Iron River33 mi
- Gwinn44 mi
- Escanaba49 mi
- K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base49 mi
- West Ishpeming49 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Michigan · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Iron Mountain; signal estimates ignore terrain.