TV channels & antenna towers in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire has 17 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, Fox and CW. About 10 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WQOW (ABC), 1.8 miles to the ESE.
Network channels in Eau Claire
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWQOWABC | 18 | 1.8 mi | 116° ESE | Strong | Eau Claire, WI |
| FOXWEUXFox | 48 | 13 mi | 321° NW | Strong | Chippewa Falls, WI |
| CWWEAUCW | 14.10 | 28 mi | 111° ESE | Good | Eau Claire, WI |
| CWWECX-LDCW | 14 | 28 mi | 111° ESE | Fair | Eau Claire, WI |
| CBSWKBT-DTCBS | 8 | 50 mi | 171° S | Fair | La Crosse, WI |
| ABCWXOWABC | 19 | 70 mi | 175° S | Weak | La Crosse, WI |
| FOXWLAXFox | 25 | 70 mi | 175° S | Weak | La Crosse, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Eau Claire
Eau Claire is a city of about 67,800 people in Wisconsin. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 17 licensed TV transmitters: 8 full-power, 6 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 10 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 7 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 8 farther out. Eau Claire is a broadcast hub in its own right: three of the 7 network stations in range are licensed here.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 18 (WQOW), CBS on channel 8 (WKBT-DT), Fox on channel 48 (WEUX) and CW on channel 14.10 (WEAU). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KARE in Minneapolis, MN, 82 miles to the west. 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 Eau Claire
The main network towers around Eau Claire are in different directions: ABC 116° ESE (1.8 mi) and Fox 321° NW (13 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Two network stations, WXOW and WLAX, transmit from the same tower site about 70 miles south of Eau Claire (175° S). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Eau Claire, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Eau Claire
The farthest main network tower for Eau Claire is WEUX (Fox), 13 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here.
WKBT-DT (CBS), 50 miles south, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
WQOW is only 1.8 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 Eau Claire
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBDL-LDTranslator | 1.8 mi | 116° ESE | Strong | Elk Mound, WI |
| W33DH-DLow power | 1.8 mi | 116° ESE | Strong | Eau Claire, WI |
| W26FG-DLow power | 1.8 mi | 116° ESE | Fair | Eau Claire, WI |
| W23FC-DLow power | 6.6 mi | 319° NW | Good | Eau Claire, WI |
| WHWC-TVFull power | 24 mi | 313° NW | Good | Menomonie, WI |
| W19DP-DLow power | 54 mi | 190° S | Poor | La Crosse, WI |
| W19EN-DTranslator | 59 mi | 277° W | Poor | River Falls, WI |
| K25NK-DLow power | 68 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Rochester, MN |
| W34FC-DTranslator | 70 mi | 175° S | Poor | La Crosse, WI |
| WHLA-TVFull power | 70 mi | 175° S | Weak | La Crosse, WI |
How Eau Claire compares with the rest of Wisconsin
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Eau Claire ranks 261st of 423 places in Wisconsin: fewer than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 1.8 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
30% of Wisconsin's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Eau Claire: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 321° NW, the direction of WEUX (Fox), 13 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 10 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 Eau Claire, WI?
ABC is on channel 18 from WQOW, broadcasting from 1.8 miles ESE of Eau Claire. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Eau Claire, WI?
CBS is on channel 8 from WKBT-DT, broadcasting from 50 miles S of Eau Claire. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Eau Claire, WI?
Fox is on channel 48 from WEUX, broadcasting from 13 miles NW of Eau Claire. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Eau Claire, WI?
CW is on channel 14.10 from WEAU, broadcasting from 28 miles ESE of Eau Claire. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Eau Claire?
17 transmitters within 70 miles of Eau Claire; around 10 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Eau Claire?
The main network towers around Eau Claire are in different directions: ABC 116° ESE (1.8 mi) and Fox 321° NW (13 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Eau Claire?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks. Picking up CBS from up to 50 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Eau Claire?
WKBT-DT (CBS), 50 miles south, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Eau Claire?
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
- Altoona2.7 mi
- Lake Hallie5.3 mi
- Chippewa Falls10 mi
- Mondovi19 mi
- Bloomer20 mi
- Menomonie21 mi
- Osseo21 mi
- Durand26 mi
- Stanley29 mi
- Cornell30 mi
- Whitehall32 mi
- Chetek36 mi
- Spring Valley36 mi
- Glenwood City37 mi
- Arcadia39 mi
- Baldwin44 mi
- Neillsville48 mi
- Black River Falls48 mi
- Ellsworth49 mi
- Ladysmith49 mi
- Rice Lake49 mi
- Loyal49 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Wisconsin · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Eau Claire; signal estimates ignore terrain.