TV channels & antenna towers in Buffalo, South Dakota
Buffalo has 14 TV transmitters within 70 miles. About 0 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K13LN-D, 53 miles to the WNW.
Over-the-air TV in Buffalo
Buffalo is a small community of about 345 people in South Dakota. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 14 licensed TV transmitters: 1 low-power and 13 translators. 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 Buffalo, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 14 are more than 45 miles out.
No ABC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KBMY in Bismarck, ND, 148 miles to the northeast. No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KTVQ in Billings, MT, 237 miles to the west.
Which way to point your antenna in Buffalo
Point your antenna WNW, at about 295°. The nearest towers for Buffalo sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
K13LN-D, K07EQ-D and K09BE-D lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Buffalo. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Buffalo
The farthest of the closest towers for Buffalo is K09BE-D, 53 miles away with a very weak 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 TV stations near Buffalo
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K13LN-DTranslator | 53 mi | 295° WNW | Poor | Ekalaka, MT |
| K07EQ-DTranslator | 53 mi | 295° WNW | Poor | Ekalaka, MT |
| K09BE-DTranslator | 53 mi | 295° WNW | Poor | Ekalaka, MT |
| K23DJ-DTranslator | 53 mi | 295° WNW | Poor | Ekalaka, MT |
| K31QC-DTranslator | 58 mi | 326° NW | Poor | Baker, MT |
| K29OK-DTranslator | 58 mi | 326° NW | Poor | Baker, MT |
| K36QR-DTranslator | 58 mi | 326° NW | Poor | Baker, MT |
| K24DD-DTranslator | 58 mi | 326° NW | Poor | Plevna, MT |
| K27LT-DTranslator | 60 mi | 328° NNW | Poor | Baker, MT |
| K19CG-DTranslator | 66 mi | 193° SSW | Poor | Belle Fourche, SD |
| K17OB-DTranslator | 70 mi | 318° NW | Poor | Plevna, MT |
| K15NB-DTranslator | 70 mi | 318° NW | Poor | Plevna, MT |
| K19NI-DLow power | 70 mi | 318° NW | Poor | Plevna, MT |
| K21PK-DTranslator | 70 mi | 318° NW | Poor | Plevna, MT |
How Buffalo compares with the rest of South Dakota
With 0 stations at fair strength or better, Buffalo ranks 100th of 101 places in South Dakota: fewer than the typical South Dakota town (4).
47% of South Dakota's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Buffalo: 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 295° WNW, the direction of K09BE-D, 53 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 Buffalo?
14 transmitters within 70 miles of Buffalo; 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 Buffalo?
Point your antenna WNW, at about 295°. The nearest towers for Buffalo sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Buffalo?
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 Buffalo?
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 Buffalo?
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.
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in South Dakota · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Buffalo; signal estimates ignore terrain.