You can get 20 free TV channels in Ottawa, IL
1 channels are rated Strong (indoor-ready) near the center of Ottawa. Check your exact ZIP code below.
Outdoor Rooftop Directional Antenna
Signals here are mostly distant or weak. A rooftop directional antenna (with a mast preamp) gives you the best shot at reliable HD.
🧭 Broadcast Tower Compass — Which Way to Point Your Antenna
Each dot is a local TV tower relative to your center point (● Green = Strong, ● Blue = Moderate, ● Amber = Weak).
Primary Aim Direction: SW (230°)
Place your indoor antenna near a window or exterior wall facing SW (230°), or aim your attic/rooftop antenna toward that compass bearing for the strongest signal lock.
After placing or moving your antenna, always run a fresh TV channel rescan.
All Free Over-the-Air TV Channels in Ottawa, IL
Sorted with Strong signals and major broadcast networks first. Channel is the virtual channel number your TV displays; Band / RF Ch. is the actual radio frequency that determines whether you need a VHF-capable antenna. How we calculate signals.
| Channel | Network | Station | Distance | Point Antenna | Band / RF Ch. | Estimated Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | MyNetworkTV | WTVK Oswego, IL · Full Power | 7.7 mi | SW (230°) | High VHF RF 10 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 7 | ABC | WLS-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 71.3 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 22 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 2 | CBS | WBBM-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 71.3 mi | ENE (59°) | High VHF RF 12 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 43 | FOX | WYZZ-TV Bloomington, IL · Full Power | 52.3 mi | SSW (201°) | UHF RF 28 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| – | Local / LPTV | WAUR-LD Aurora, IL · Low Power | 25.0 mi | NNE (31°) | UHF RF 29 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 60 | UniMás | WXFT-DT Aurora, IL · Full Power | 71.3 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 22 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 4 | CBS | WHBF-TV Rock Island, IL · Full Power | 86.7 mi | W (279°) | Low VHF RF 4 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 13 | NBC | WREX Rockford, IL · Full Power | 68.6 mi | NNW (342°) | High VHF RF 13 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 5 | NBC | WMAQ-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 71.2 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 33 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 32 | FOX | WFLD Chicago, IL · Full Power | 71.2 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 31 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 11 | PBS | WTTW Chicago, IL · Full Power | 71.2 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 25 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 50 | MyNetworkTV | WPWR-TV Gary, IN · Full Power | 71.2 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 31 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 38 | ION | WCPX-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 71.3 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 34 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 66 | Univision | WGBO-DT Joliet, IL · Full Power | 72.5 mi | ENE (58°) | UHF RF 35 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 44 | Telemundo | WSNS-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 71.2 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 29 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 9 | Independent | WGN-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 71.2 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 19 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 26 | Independent | WCIU-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 71.2 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 23 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 62 | Independent | WJYS Hammond, IN · Full Power | 71.3 mi | ENE (59°) | UHF RF 21 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 31 | Local / LPTV | WSPY-LD Earlville, IL · Low Power | 25.0 mi | NNE (31°) | UHF RF 30 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 19 | Local / LPTV | WSLN Freeport, IL · Full Power | 67.5 mi | NNW (345°) | High VHF RF 9 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
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