TV channels & antenna towers in Salem, Missouri
Salem has 3 TV transmitters within 70 miles. About 0 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K36NN-D, 64 miles to the SSW.
Over-the-air TV in Salem
With roughly 4,990 residents, Salem is a town in Missouri. Our map shows 3 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, none are likely to arrive at fair strength or better.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Salem, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 3 are more than 45 miles out.
No ABC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KPOB-TV in Poplar Bluff, MO, 83 miles to the southeast. No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KRCG in Jefferson City, MO, 78 miles to the northwest.
Which way to point your antenna in Salem
The nearest towers around Salem are in different directions: K36NN-D 196° SSW (64 mi), KDKZ-LD 52° NE (65 mi) and KRMS-LD 302° WNW (68 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
K36NN-D, KDKZ-LD and KRMS-LD lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Salem. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Salem
The farthest of the closest towers for Salem is KRMS-LD, 68 miles away with a very weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
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 TV stations near Salem
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K36NN-DLow power | 64 mi | 196° SSW | Poor | West Plains, MO |
| KDKZ-LDLow power | 65 mi | 52° NE | Poor | Farmington, MO |
| KRMS-LDLow power | 68 mi | 302° WNW | Poor | Lake Ozark, MO |
How Salem compares with the rest of Missouri
With 0 stations at fair strength or better, Salem ranks 391st of 398 places in Missouri: fewer than the typical Missouri town (12).
34% of Missouri's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Rolla, 25 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Salem: 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 302° WNW, the direction of KRMS-LD, 68 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 0 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
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Salem?
3 transmitters within 70 miles of Salem; around 0 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 Salem?
The nearest towers around Salem are in different directions: K36NN-D 196° SSW (64 mi), KDKZ-LD 52° NE (65 mi) and KRMS-LD 302° WNW (68 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Salem?
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 216° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Salem?
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 Salem?
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 Missouri cities
- Licking20 mi
- Steelville24 mi
- Saint James25 mi
- Rolla25 mi
- Cuba30 mi
- Houston32 mi
- Fort Leonard Wood34 mi
- Centerville35 mi
- Eminence36 mi
- Saint Robert37 mi
- Waynesville38 mi
- Bourbon39 mi
- Dixon39 mi
- Vienna44 mi
- Sullivan44 mi
- Crocker45 mi
- Belle45 mi
- Winona45 mi
- Potosi46 mi
- Mountain View46 mi
- Cabool48 mi
- Owensville48 mi
- Richland50 mi
More: all TV stations in Missouri · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Salem; signal estimates ignore terrain.