TV channels & antenna towers in Missoula, Montana

With roughly 71,000 residents, Missoula is a city in Montana. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 43 licensed TV transmitters: 4 full-power, 2 low-power and 37 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 6 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.

6 of them are within 25 miles of Missoula, 6 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 31 are more than 45 miles out. Missoula is a broadcast hub in its own right: three of the 3 network stations in range are licensed here.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 23 (KTMF), CBS on channel 8 (KPAX-TV) and NBC on channel 13 (KECI-TV). No Fox affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KAYU-TV in Spokane, WA, 162 miles to the west. 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Point your antenna N, at about 355°. The main network towers for Missoula sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Three network stations, KPAX-TV, KECI-TV and KTMF, transmit from the same tower site about 10 miles north of Missoula (355° N). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 3 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Missoula at fair strength or better, all arrive from the north, so this is an easy place to aim.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Missoula, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

The farthest main network tower for Missoula is KTMF (ABC), 10 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

KPAX-TV is only 10 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.

With 6 stations at fair strength or better, Missoula ranks 41st of 104 places in Montana: more than the typical Montana town (5). Its nearest major network tower is 10 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.

19% of Montana's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.