TV channels & antenna towers in Decatur, Wisconsin
Decatur has 21 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 16 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W35DY-D, 13 miles to the ESE.
Network channels in Decatur
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWREXNBC | 13 | 25 mi | 159° SSE | Fair | Rockford, IL |
| TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo | 23 | 26 mi | 152° SSE | Fair | Rockford, IL |
| CBSWIFR-LDCBS | 23 | 26 mi | 152° SSE | Fair | Rockford, IL |
| CWWSLNCW | 19 | 26 mi | 152° SSE | Fair | Freeport, IL |
| FOXWQRF-TVFox | 39 | 27 mi | 153° SSE | Good | Rockford, IL |
| ABCWTVOABC | 17 | 27 mi | 153° SSE | Good | Rockford, IL |
| CWWMTVCW | 15.2 | 29 mi | 352° N | Good | Madison, WI |
| FOXWMSN-TVFox | 47 | 30 mi | 348° NNW | Good | Madison, WI |
| IONWIFSION | 57 | 30 mi | 348° NNW | Good | Janesville, WI |
| ABCWKOWABC | 27 | 30 mi | 348° NNW | Good | Madison, WI |
| CBSWISC-TVCBS | 3 | 30 mi | 348° NNW | Fair | Madison, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Decatur
Decatur is a small community of about 1,800 people in Wisconsin. There are 21 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 11 full-power, 1 Class A, 8 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 15 between 25 and 45 miles, and 4 farther out. Five of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Rockford, IL, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rockford's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 27 (WKOW), CBS on channel 3 (WISC-TV), NBC on channel 13 (WREX), Fox on channel 39 (WQRF-TV), CW on channel 15.2 (WMTV), ION on channel 57 (WIFS) and Telemundo on channel 23 (WFBN-LD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal). 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 Decatur
The main network towers around Decatur are in different directions: ABC 348° NNW (30 mi), CBS 348° NNW (30 mi), NBC 159° SSE (25 mi) and Fox 153° SSE (27 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, WMSN-TV, WIFS, WKOW and WISC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 30 miles north of Decatur (348° NNW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Decatur at fair strength or better, 56% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Decatur, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Decatur
The farthest main network tower for Decatur is WISC-TV (CBS), 30 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Decatur
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W35DY-DTranslator | 13 mi | 104° ESE | Fair | Stoughton, WI |
| WZCK-LDLow power | 29 mi | 354° N | Fair | Madison, WI |
| W23BW-DClass A | 29 mi | 353° N | Fair | Madison, WI |
| WMWD-LDLow power | 29 mi | 353° N | Fair | Madison, WI |
| WHA-TVFull power | 30 mi | 348° NNW | Good | Madison, WI |
| WMWI-LDLow power | 38 mi | 12° NNE | Weak | Verona, WI |
| W27EJ-DLow power | 52 mi | 191° S | Poor | Sterling, IL |
| KFXB-TVFull power | 62 mi | 263° W | Weak | Dubuque, IA |
| WDMW-LDLow power | 66 mi | 69° ENE | Poor | Milwaukee, WI |
| WTAS-LDLow power | 66 mi | 69° ENE | Poor | Waukesha, WI |
How Decatur compares with the rest of Wisconsin
With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Decatur ranks 160th of 423 places in Wisconsin: more than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 25 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
44% of Wisconsin's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Janesville, 20 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Decatur: step by step
- 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.
- Point it toward 348° NNW, the direction of WISC-TV (CBS), 30 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 16 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 Decatur, WI?
ABC is on channel 27 from WKOW, broadcasting from 30 miles NNW of Decatur. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Decatur, WI?
CBS is on channel 3 from WISC-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles NNW of Decatur. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Decatur, WI?
NBC is on channel 13 from WREX, broadcasting from 25 miles SSE of Decatur. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Decatur, WI?
Fox is on channel 39 from WQRF-TV, broadcasting from 27 miles SSE of Decatur. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Decatur, WI?
CW is on channel 15.2 from WMTV, broadcasting from 29 miles N of Decatur. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Decatur?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Decatur; around 16 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 Decatur?
The main network towers around Decatur are in different directions: ABC 348° NNW (30 mi), CBS 348° NNW (30 mi), NBC 159° SSE (25 mi) and Fox 153° SSE (27 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Decatur?
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. The towers are spread over about 171° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Decatur?
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Decatur?
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
- Brodhead2.1 mi
- Evansville12 mi
- Monroe12 mi
- Oregon20 mi
- Janesville20 mi
- Beloit21 mi
- Stoughton22 mi
- Edgerton22 mi
- Fitchburg23 mi
- Verona25 mi
- Milton26 mi
- McFarland27 mi
- Monona30 mi
- Madison30 mi
- Mount Horeb31 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Lake Summerset, IL12 mi
- Rockton, IL21 mi
- South Beloit, IL21 mi
- Roscoe, IL26 mi
- Freeport, IL26 mi
- Lena, IL27 mi
- Machesney Park, IL27 mi
- Loves Park, IL28 mi
- Rockford, IL30 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 Decatur; signal estimates ignore terrain.