TV channels & antenna towers in Plains, Texas
Plains has 28 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 4 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K27GL-D, 32 miles to the SSW.
Network channels in Plains
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKOBRNBC | 8 | 56 mi | 284° WNW | Fair | Roswell, NM |
| FOXKBIM-TVFox | 10.2 | 58 mi | 261° W | Fair | Roswell, NM |
| NBCKCBDNBC | 11 | 59 mi | 68° ENE | Fair | Lubbock, TX |
| TLMKXTQ-CDTelemundo | 46 | 59 mi | 68° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
| CWKLCW-TVCW | 22 | 59 mi | 68° ENE | Weak | Wolfforth, TX |
| FOXKJTV-CDFox | 34 | 59 mi | 68° ENE | Poor | Wolfforth, TX |
| MeTVKLBB-LDMeTV | 48.1 | 59 mi | 68° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
| CBSKLBK-TVCBS | 13 | 60 mi | 67° ENE | Weak | Lubbock, TX |
| ABCKAMCABC | 28 | 60 mi | 67° ENE | Weak | Lubbock, TX |
| FOXKJTV-TVFox | 34 | 62 mi | 67° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
Over-the-air TV in Plains
Plains, Texas has a population of about 1,620. Our map shows 28 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 10 full-power, 2 Class A, 10 low-power and 6 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 4 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Plains, 6 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 22 are more than 45 miles out. Six of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to Lubbock, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Lubbock's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 28 (KAMC), CBS on channel 13 (KLBK-TV), NBC on channel 11 (KCBD), Fox on channel 10.2 (KBIM-TV), CW on channel 22 (KLCW-TV), Telemundo on channel 46 (KXTQ-CD) and MeTV on channel 48.1 (KLBB-LD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (very weak signal). 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 Plains
The main network towers around Plains are in different directions: ABC 67° ENE (60 mi), CBS 67° ENE (60 mi), NBC 68° ENE (59 mi) and Fox 261° W (58 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Six network stations, KCBD, KXTQ-CD, KLCW-TV, KJTV-CD and KLBK-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 59 miles east of Plains (68° ENE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 3 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Plains at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.
KAMC (ABC), KLBK-TV (CBS) and KCBD (NBC) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Plains. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Plains
The farthest main network tower for Plains is KLBK-TV (CBS), 60 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 Plains
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K27GL-DTranslator | 32 mi | 211° SSW | Poor | Hobbs, NM |
| K12NH-DTranslator | 32 mi | 211° SSW | Poor | Hobbs, NM |
| K34KZ-DLow power | 34 mi | 213° SSW | Weak | Hobbs, NM |
| K19KT-DTranslator | 36 mi | 206° SSW | Poor | Hobbs, NM |
| KUPTFull power | 36 mi | 206° SSW | Fair | Hobbs, NM |
| K24MB-DTranslator | 36 mi | 216° SW | Weak | Hobbs, NM |
| K17OW-DLow power | 55 mi | 200° SSW | Poor | Hobbs, NM |
| KMYL-LDLow power | 59 mi | 68° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
| K26PJ-DLow power | 59 mi | 68° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
| KBZO-LDLow power | 60 mi | 67° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
| K13ZQ-DTranslator | 60 mi | 67° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
| KTTZ-TVFull power | 61 mi | 63° ENE | Weak | Lubbock, TX |
| K32OV-DLow power | 61 mi | 68° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
| KNKC-LDLow power | 61 mi | 68° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
| K20KT-DTranslator | 63 mi | 322° NW | Poor | Dora, NM |
| KPTB-DTFull power | 63 mi | 66° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
| K34NB-DLow power | 63 mi | 66° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
| K18NO-DLow power | 63 mi | 66° ENE | Poor | Lubbock, TX |
How Plains compares with the rest of Texas
With 4 stations at fair strength or better, Plains ranks 876th of 1,039 places in Texas: fewer than the typical Texas town (14). Its nearest major network tower is 56 miles away, against a state median of 26 miles.
32% of Texas's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Hobbs, 38 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Plains: 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 67° ENE, the direction of KLBK-TV (CBS), 60 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 4 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 Plains, TX?
ABC is on channel 28 from KAMC, broadcasting from 60 miles ENE of Plains. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CBS in Plains, TX?
CBS is on channel 13 from KLBK-TV, broadcasting from 60 miles ENE of Plains. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is NBC in Plains, TX?
NBC is on channel 11 from KCBD, broadcasting from 59 miles ENE of Plains. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Plains, TX?
Fox is on channel 10.2 from KBIM-TV, broadcasting from 58 miles W of Plains. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Plains, TX?
CW is on channel 22 from KLCW-TV, broadcasting from 59 miles ENE of Plains. Estimated signal: weak.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Plains?
28 transmitters within 70 miles of Plains; around 4 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 Plains?
The main network towers around Plains are in different directions: ABC 67° ENE (60 mi), CBS 67° ENE (60 mi), NBC 68° ENE (59 mi) and Fox 261° W (58 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Plains?
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 167° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Plains?
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 Plains?
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 Texas cities
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Texas · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Plains; signal estimates ignore terrain.