TV channels & antenna towers in Colby, Wisconsin
Colby has 18 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, Fox, CW and ION. About 6 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WRJT-LD, 29 miles to the SE.
Network channels in Colby
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWWSAW-TVCW | 7.4 | 31 mi | 88° E | Fair | Wausau, WI |
| ABCWAOWABC | 9 | 31 mi | 88° E | Good | Wausau, WI |
| CWWEAUCW | 14.10 | 36 mi | 242° WSW | Good | Eau Claire, WI |
| CWWECX-LDCW | 14 | 36 mi | 242° WSW | Weak | Eau Claire, WI |
| FOXWZAW-LDFox | 33 | 43 mi | 76° ENE | Poor | Wausau, WI |
| IONWTPX-TVION | 46 | 44 mi | 76° ENE | Fair | Antigo, WI |
| ABCWQOWABC | 18 | 57 mi | 263° W | Fair | Eau Claire, WI |
| FOXWEUXFox | 48 | 66 mi | 273° W | Poor | Chippewa Falls, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Colby
With roughly 1,830 residents, Colby is a small community in Wisconsin. Our map shows 18 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 7 full-power, 10 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 6 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 3 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Colby, 11 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 7 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 8 network stations in range are licensed to Wausau, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Wausau's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 9 (WAOW), Fox on channel 48 (WEUX), CW on channel 14.10 (WEAU) and ION on channel 46 (WTPX-TV). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WKBT-DT in La Crosse, WI, 76 miles to the southwest. No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WJFW-TV in Rhinelander, WI, 75 miles to the northeast. 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.
Which way to point your antenna in Colby
The main network towers around Colby are in different directions: ABC 88° E (31 mi) and Fox 273° W (66 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Two network stations, WSAW-TV and WAOW, transmit from the same tower site about 31 miles east of Colby (88° E). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Colby at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across two other directions.
WEUX (Fox) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Colby. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Colby
The farthest main network tower for Colby is WEUX (Fox), 66 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 stations near Colby
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRJT-LDLow power | 29 mi | 129° SE | Weak | Wausau, WI |
| WHRM-TVFull power | 31 mi | 88° E | Good | Wausau, WI |
| W27AU-DLow power | 33 mi | 92° E | Poor | Wausau, WI |
| W31EV-DLow power | 35 mi | 149° SSE | Weak | Stevens Point, WI |
| W36EI-DLow power | 43 mi | 76° ENE | Poor | Wausau, WI |
| WBDL-LDTranslator | 57 mi | 263° W | Poor | Elk Mound, WI |
| W33DH-DLow power | 57 mi | 263° W | Poor | Eau Claire, WI |
| W26FG-DLow power | 57 mi | 263° W | Poor | Eau Claire, WI |
| W23FC-DLow power | 62 mi | 269° W | Poor | Eau Claire, WI |
| W26EE-DLow power | 64 mi | 86° E | Poor | Wittenberg, WI |
How Colby compares with the rest of Wisconsin
With 6 stations at fair strength or better, Colby ranks 396th of 423 places in Wisconsin: fewer than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 31 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 Wausau, 34 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Colby: 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 273° W, the direction of WEUX (Fox), 66 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 6 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 Colby, WI?
ABC is on channel 9 from WAOW, broadcasting from 31 miles E of Colby. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Colby, WI?
Fox is on channel 48 from WEUX, broadcasting from 66 miles W of Colby. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is CW in Colby, WI?
CW is on channel 14.10 from WEAU, broadcasting from 36 miles WSW of Colby. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Colby?
18 transmitters within 70 miles of Colby; around 6 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 Colby?
The main network towers around Colby are in different directions: ABC 88° E (31 mi) and Fox 273° W (66 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Colby?
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 175° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Colby?
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 Colby?
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
- Abbotsford2.5 mi
- Spencer11 mi
- Stratford14 mi
- Athens15 mi
- Loyal15 mi
- Medford16 mi
- Greenwood17 mi
- Edgar17 mi
- Marshfield18 mi
- Marathon23 mi
- Neillsville28 mi
- Stanley31 mi
- Rib Mountain31 mi
- Wausau34 mi
- Rothschild34 mi
- Kronenwetter36 mi
- Merrill36 mi
- Weston38 mi
- Wisconsin Rapids44 mi
- Cornell44 mi
- Stevens Point45 mi
- Bevent46 mi
- Tomahawk48 mi
- Plover49 mi
More: all TV stations in Wisconsin · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Colby; signal estimates ignore terrain.