TV channels & antenna towers in Onalaska, Wisconsin

Onalaska is a city of about 18,500 people in Wisconsin. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 30 licensed TV transmitters: 10 full-power, 1 Class A, 14 low-power and 5 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 8 transmitters are within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 17 farther out. Three of the 9 network stations in range are licensed to La Crosse, so most of the network channels you will find here come from La Crosse's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 19 (WXOW), CBS on channel 8 (WKBT-DT), Fox on channel 25 (WLAX) and CW on channel 14.10 (WEAU). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KWWL in Waterloo, IA, 107 miles to the south. 2 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around Onalaska are in different directions: ABC 231° SW (8.5 mi), CBS 340° NNW (15 mi) and Fox 231° SW (8.8 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 8.5 miles southwest of Onalaska (231° SW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Onalaska at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

The farthest main network tower for Onalaska is WKBT-DT (CBS), 15 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

WXOW is only 8.5 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.

With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Onalaska ranks 349th of 423 places in Wisconsin: fewer than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 8.5 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.

30% of Wisconsin's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is North La Crosse, 2.7 miles away.