TV channels & antenna towers in Stanford, Montana
Stanford has 27 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS and MeTV. About 1 station should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K11WK-D, 2.8 miles to the WNW.
Network channels in Stanford
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCKFBB-TVABC | 5 | 56 mi | 298° WNW | Poor | Great Falls, MT |
| CBSKRTVCBS | 3 | 56 mi | 298° WNW | Weak | Great Falls, MT |
| MeTVKJJCMeTV | 16.1 | 57 mi | 292° WNW | Poor | Great Falls, MT |
Over-the-air TV in Stanford
Stanford is a small community of about 381 people in Montana. There are 27 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 4 full-power, 6 low-power and 17 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 1 is likely to arrive at fair strength or better.
3 of them are within 25 miles of Stanford, 4 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 20 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 3 network stations in range are licensed to Great Falls, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Great Falls's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 5 (KFBB-TV), CBS on channel 3 (KRTV) and MeTV on channel 16.1 (KJJC). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KTVH-DT in Helena, MT, 74 miles to the west. No Fox affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KHMT in Hardin, MT, 139 miles to the southeast. 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.
Which way to point your antenna in Stanford
Point your antenna WNW, at about 298°. The main network towers for Stanford sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Two network stations, KFBB-TV and KRTV, transmit from the same tower site about 56 miles northwest of Stanford (298° WNW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
KFBB-TV (ABC) and KRTV (CBS) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Stanford. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Stanford
The farthest main network tower for Stanford is KRTV (CBS), 56 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 Stanford
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K11WK-DTranslator | 2.8 mi | 293° WNW | Fair | Stanford, MT |
| K12RE-DTranslator | 18 mi | 44° NE | Poor | Denton, MT |
| K10RC-DTranslator | 18 mi | 44° NE | Poor | Denton, MT |
| K15LD-DLow power | 32 mi | 87° E | Poor | Lewistown, MT |
| K36PB-DTranslator | 32 mi | 87° E | Poor | Lewistown, MT |
| K06QN-DTranslator | 39 mi | 145° SE | Poor | Judith Gap, MT |
| K04RT-DTranslator | 39 mi | 145° SE | Poor | Judith Gap, MT |
| K09LW-DTranslator | 50 mi | 191° S | Poor | Martinsdale/Lennep, MT |
| K26LQ-DLow power | 53 mi | 218° SW | Poor | White Sulphur Spring, MT |
| K15JA-DTranslator | 56 mi | 176° S | Poor | Harlowton, Etc, MT |
| K17KZ-DTranslator | 56 mi | 176° S | Poor | Harlowton, Etc, MT |
| K19JO-DTranslator | 56 mi | 176° S | Poor | Harlowton, Etc, MT |
| KBGF-LDLow power | 56 mi | 298° WNW | Poor | Great Falls, MT |
| KUGFFull power | 56 mi | 298° WNW | Poor | Great Falls, MT |
| K11MP-DTranslator | 57 mi | 213° SSW | Poor | White Sulphur Spring, MT |
| K06NV-DTranslator | 57 mi | 213° SSW | Poor | White Sulphur Spring, MT |
| K07NU-DTranslator | 57 mi | 213° SSW | Poor | White Sulphur Spring, MT |
| K09MH-DTranslator | 57 mi | 213° SSW | Poor | White Sulphur Spring, MT |
| K08LI-DTranslator | 57 mi | 213° SSW | Poor | White Sulphur Spring, MT |
| K25LM-DLow power | 57 mi | 292° WNW | Poor | Great Falls, MT |
| K35KC-DLow power | 57 mi | 292° WNW | Poor | Great Falls, MT |
| K09YR-DTranslator | 61 mi | 158° SSE | Poor | Harlowton, MT |
| K13BE-DTranslator | 61 mi | 158° SSE | Poor | Harlowton, MT |
| K07ZR-DTLow power | 61 mi | 158° SSE | Poor | Harlowton & Shawmut, MT |
How Stanford compares with the rest of Montana
With 1 station at fair strength or better, Stanford ranks 80th of 104 places in Montana: fewer than the typical Montana town (5). Its nearest major network tower is 56 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
49% of Montana's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Stanford: 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 298° WNW, the direction of KRTV (CBS), 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 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 Stanford, MT?
ABC is on channel 5 from KFBB-TV, broadcasting from 56 miles WNW of Stanford. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is CBS in Stanford, MT?
CBS is on channel 3 from KRTV, broadcasting from 56 miles WNW of Stanford. Estimated signal: weak.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Stanford?
27 transmitters within 70 miles of Stanford; 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 Stanford?
Point your antenna WNW, at about 298°. The main network towers for Stanford sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Stanford?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Stanford?
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 Stanford?
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 Montana cities
More: all TV stations in Montana · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Stanford; signal estimates ignore terrain.