TV channels & antenna towers in Adams, Wisconsin

Adams has 21 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, Fox, CW and ION. About 8 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W29ET-D, 14 miles to the ENE.

Open Adams in the live finder

21TV transmitters within 70 miles

5networks over the air

14 mito the closest tower

1,893population

Network channels in Adams

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
FOXWMSN-TVFox	47	64 mi	167° SSE	Fair	Madison, WI
IONWIFSION	57	64 mi	167° SSE	Fair	Janesville, WI
ABCWKOWABC	27	64 mi	167° SSE	Good	Madison, WI
CBSWISC-TVCBS	3	64 mi	167° SSE	Fair	Madison, WI
CWWMTVCW	15.2	65 mi	165° SSE	Fair	Madison, WI
CWWSAW-TVCW	7.4	67 mi	5° N	Weak	Wausau, WI
ABCWAOWABC	9	67 mi	5° N	Weak	Wausau, WI

Over-the-air TV in Adams

Adams is a small community of about 1,890 people in Wisconsin. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 21 licensed TV transmitters: 9 full-power, 1 Class A, 10 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 1 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 15 farther out. Four of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Madison, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Madison's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 27 (WKOW), CBS on channel 3 (WISC-TV), Fox on channel 47 (WMSN-TV), CW on channel 15.2 (WMTV) and ION on channel 57 (WIFS). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WGBA-TV in Green Bay, WI, 95 miles to the east. 2 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 Adams

Point your antenna SSE, at about 167°. The main network towers for Adams sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Four network stations, WMSN-TV, WIFS, WKOW and WISC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 64 miles south of Adams (167° SSE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Adams at fair strength or better, all arrive from the south, so this is an easy place to aim.

WKOW (ABC), WISC-TV (CBS) and WMSN-TV (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Adams. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Adams

The farthest main network tower for Adams is WMSN-TV (Fox), 64 miles away with a fair 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 stations near Adams

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
W29ET-DTranslator	14 mi	71° ENE	Fair	Coloma, WI
W25FT-DLow power	33 mi	258° WSW	Weak	Baraboo, WI
W22FK-DLow power	33 mi	258° WSW	Weak	Baraboo, WI
W36FN-DLow power	33 mi	258° WSW	Weak	Baraboo, WI
W31EV-DLow power	37 mi	349° N	Weak	Stevens Point, WI
WPDR-LDLow power	38 mi	264° W	Weak	Tomah, WI
WRJT-LDLow power	47 mi	358° N	Poor	Wausau, WI
WMWI-LDLow power	61 mi	153° SSE	Poor	Verona, WI
WHA-TVFull power	64 mi	167° SSE	Fair	Madison, WI
W23BW-DClass A	65 mi	165° SSE	Poor	Madison, WI
WMWD-LDLow power	65 mi	165° SSE	Poor	Madison, WI
WZCK-LDLow power	65 mi	165° SSE	Poor	Madison, WI
W27AU-DLow power	65 mi	7° N	Poor	Wausau, WI
WHRM-TVFull power	67 mi	5° N	Fair	Wausau, WI

How Adams compares with the rest of Wisconsin

With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Adams ranks 349th of 423 places in Wisconsin: fewer than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 64 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.

26% of Wisconsin's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Stevens Point, 41 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Adams: 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 167° SSE, the direction of WMSN-TV (Fox), 64 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 8 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 Adams, WI?

ABC is on channel 27 from WKOW, broadcasting from 64 miles SSE of Adams. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Adams, WI?

CBS is on channel 3 from WISC-TV, broadcasting from 64 miles SSE of Adams. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is Fox in Adams, WI?

Fox is on channel 47 from WMSN-TV, broadcasting from 64 miles SSE of Adams. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CW in Adams, WI?

CW is on channel 15.2 from WMTV, broadcasting from 65 miles SSE of Adams. Estimated signal: fair.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Adams?

21 transmitters within 70 miles of Adams; around 8 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 Adams?

Point your antenna SSE, at about 167°. The main network towers for Adams sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Adams?

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 Adams?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Adams?

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 Wisconsin cities

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