TV channels & antenna towers in Friend, Nebraska
Friend has 19 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. About 7 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KOLN (CBS), 12 miles to the NNE.
Network channels in Friend
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKOLNCBS | 10 | 12 mi | 28° NNE | Good | Lincoln, NE |
| NBCKSNB-TVNBC | 4 | 12 mi | 28° NNE | Strong | York, NE |
| ABCKLKNABC | 8 | 16 mi | 356° N | Good | Lincoln, NE |
| CWKCWH-LDCW | 18 | 35 mi | 70° ENE | Weak | Lincoln, NE |
| FOXKFXL-TVFox | 51 | 36 mi | 82° E | Good | Lincoln, NE |
| CWKNHLCW | 5 | 58 mi | 270° W | Weak | Hastings, NE |
| CWKPTMCW | 42.3 | 62 mi | 62° ENE | Good | Omaha, NE |
Over-the-air TV in Friend
With roughly 1,010 residents, Friend is a small community in Nebraska. Our map shows 19 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 9 full-power, 7 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 7 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 7 between 25 and 45 miles, and 9 farther out. Four of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Lincoln, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Lincoln's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 8 (KLKN), CBS on channel 10 (KOLN), NBC on channel 4 (KSNB-TV), Fox on channel 51 (KFXL-TV) and CW on channel 42.3 (KPTM). 3 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 Friend
The main network towers around Friend are in different directions: ABC 356° N (16 mi), CBS 28° NNE (12 mi), NBC 28° NNE (12 mi) and Fox 82° E (36 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Two network stations, KOLN and KSNB-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 12 miles northeast of Friend (28° NNE). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Friend at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Friend, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Friend
The farthest main network tower for Friend is KFXL-TV (Fox), 36 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
KSNB-TV is only 12 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.
Other stations near Friend
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KFDY-LDLow power | 36 mi | 82° E | Weak | Lincoln, NE |
| K23AA-DTranslator | 36 mi | 147° SSE | Weak | Beatrice, NE |
| KWBE-LDLow power | 38 mi | 135° SE | Weak | Beatrice, NE |
| KIUA-LDLow power | 40 mi | 288° WNW | Poor | Lincoln, NE |
| KHNE-TVFull power | 43 mi | 281° WNW | Good | Hastings, NE |
| KUON-TVFull power | 55 mi | 52° NE | Weak | Lincoln, NE |
| KMJF-LDLow power | 55 mi | 2° N | Poor | Columbus, NE |
| KMLF-LDLow power | 58 mi | 289° WNW | Poor | Grand Island, NE |
| K33AC-DTranslator | 59 mi | 123° ESE | Poor | Pawnee City, NE |
| KAJS-LDLow power | 61 mi | 61° ENE | Poor | Lincoln, NE |
| KXVOFull power | 62 mi | 62° ENE | Good | Omaha, NE |
| K36QD-DTranslator | 68 mi | 42° NE | Poor | Omaha, NE |
How Friend compares with the rest of Nebraska
With 7 stations at fair strength or better, Friend ranks 59th of 145 places in Nebraska: more than the typical Nebraska town (6). Its nearest major network tower is 12 miles away, against a state median of 27 miles.
40% of Nebraska's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Lincoln, 34 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Friend: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 82° E, the direction of KFXL-TV (Fox), 36 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 7 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 Friend, NE?
ABC is on channel 8 from KLKN, broadcasting from 16 miles N of Friend. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Friend, NE?
CBS is on channel 10 from KOLN, broadcasting from 12 miles NNE of Friend. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Friend, NE?
NBC is on channel 4 from KSNB-TV, broadcasting from 12 miles NNE of Friend. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Friend, NE?
Fox is on channel 51 from KFXL-TV, broadcasting from 36 miles E of Friend. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Friend, NE?
CW is on channel 42.3 from KPTM, broadcasting from 62 miles ENE of Friend. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Friend?
19 transmitters within 70 miles of Friend; around 7 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 Friend?
The main network towers around Friend are in different directions: ABC 356° N (16 mi), CBS 28° NNE (12 mi), NBC 28° NNE (12 mi) and Fox 82° E (36 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Friend?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice. The towers are spread over about 85° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Friend?
KSNB-TV is only 12 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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Friend?
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 Nebraska cities
- Milford15 mi
- Crete17 mi
- Geneva18 mi
- Seward20 mi
- Wilber21 mi
- York22 mi
- Sutton30 mi
- Lincoln34 mi
- Hickman35 mi
- Stromsburg36 mi
- Fairbury36 mi
- Hebron37 mi
- Osceola39 mi
- Beatrice39 mi
- Aurora40 mi
- Clay Center41 mi
- David City42 mi
- Waverly44 mi
- Eagle46 mi
- Central City49 mi
- Wymore49 mi
More: all TV stations in Nebraska · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Friend; signal estimates ignore terrain.