TV channels & antenna towers in Ames Lake, Washington

Ames Lake has 29 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 19 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KWDK, 8.9 miles to the S.

29TV transmitters within 70 miles
8networks over the air
8.9 mito the closest tower
1,486population

Network channels in Ames Lake

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
IONKWPX-TVION33 8.9 mi181° S StrongBellevue, WA
MeTVKFFVMeTV44.1 16 mi266° W GoodSeattle, WA
NBCKING-TVNBC5 18 mi270° W StrongSeattle, WA
CWKUNS-TVCW51 18 mi270° W StrongBellevue, WA
ABCKOMO-TVABC4 18 mi270° W StrongSeattle, WA
CBSKIRO-TVCBS7 18 mi270° W StrongSeattle, WA
TBNKTBW-TVTrinity20 39 mi262° W FairTacoma, WA
FOXKCPQFox13 40 mi262° W FairTacoma, WA

Over-the-air TV in Ames Lake

With roughly 1,490 residents, Ames Lake is a small community in Washington. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 29 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 7 low-power and 8 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 19 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 16 transmitters are within 25 miles, 6 between 25 and 45 miles, and 7 farther out. Four of the 8 network stations in range are licensed to Seattle, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Seattle's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 4 (KOMO-TV), CBS on channel 7 (KIRO-TV), NBC on channel 5 (KING-TV), Fox on channel 13 (KCPQ), CW on channel 51 (KUNS-TV), ION on channel 33 (KWPX-TV), MeTV on channel 44.1 (KFFV) and Trinity on channel 20 (KTBW-TV). 6 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 Ames Lake

Point your antenna W, at about 268°. The main network towers for Ames Lake sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Four network stations, KING-TV, KUNS-TV, KOMO-TV and KIRO-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 18 miles west of Ames Lake (270° W). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Ames Lake at fair strength or better, 88% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Ames Lake

The farthest main network tower for Ames Lake is KCPQ (Fox), 40 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

KWDK is only 8.9 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 Ames Lake

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
KWDKFull power8.9 mi 181° SStrongTacoma, WA
KUSE-LDLow power8.9 mi 181° SFairSeattle, WA
KZJOFull power16 mi 266° WStrongSeattle, WA
KCTS-TVFull power16 mi 266° WFairSeattle, WA
KSTWFull power16 mi 266° WGoodTacoma, WA
KONGFull power18 mi 270° WStrongEverett, WA
KRUM-LDLow power18 mi 270° WFairSeattle, WA
K20NF-DLow power18 mi 270° WFairSeattle, WA
KQAH-LDLow power18 mi 270° WFairMaltby, WA
KYMU-LDLow power18 mi 270° WFairSeattle, WA
K29ED-DLow power25 mi 343° NNWWeakEverett, WA
K18NI-DTranslator26 mi 238° WSWWeakPoint Pulley, Etc., WA
K18NH-DTranslator35 mi 204° SSWWeakPuyallup, WA
KBTC-TVFull power35 mi 226° SWFairTacoma, WA
K15MW-DLow power67 mi 342° NNWPoorBellingham, WA
K12LV-DTranslator68 mi 91° EPoorDryden, WA
K08JP-DTranslator68 mi 91° EPoorDryden, WA
K10LG-DTranslator68 mi 91° EPoorDryden, WA
K13ER-DTranslator70 mi 95° EPoorCashmere, WA
K09ES-DTranslator70 mi 95° EPoorCashmere, WA
K11EZ-DTranslator70 mi 95° EPoorCashmere, WA

How Ames Lake compares with the rest of Washington

With 19 stations at fair strength or better, Ames Lake ranks 132nd of 398 places in Washington: more than the typical Washington town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 8.9 miles away, against a state median of 19 miles.

60% of Washington's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is City of Sammamish, 3.9 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Ames Lake: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 262° W, the direction of KCPQ (Fox), 40 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 19 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Ames Lake, WA?

ABC is on channel 4 from KOMO-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles W of Ames Lake. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Ames Lake, WA?

CBS is on channel 7 from KIRO-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles W of Ames Lake. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Ames Lake, WA?

NBC is on channel 5 from KING-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles W of Ames Lake. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Ames Lake, WA?

Fox is on channel 13 from KCPQ, broadcasting from 40 miles W of Ames Lake. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CW in Ames Lake, WA?

CW is on channel 51 from KUNS-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles W of Ames Lake. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Ames Lake?

29 transmitters within 70 miles of Ames Lake; around 19 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 Ames Lake?

Point your antenna W, at about 268°. The main network towers for Ames Lake sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Ames Lake?

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.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Ames Lake?

KWDK is only 8.9 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 Ames Lake?

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 Washington cities

More: all TV stations in Washington · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Ames Lake; signal estimates ignore terrain.