What channel is ION on antenna in Chicago?
ION is channel 38.1 (WCPX-TV).
It broadcasts on RF 34 (UHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Updated from FCC data
Lost ION? Rescan your TV first
Most missing channels come back after a Rescan Asking your TV to search for channels again. Fixes most missing channels. More in the glossary . If ION still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the WCPX-TV tower and handle UHF Higher frequencies (RF 14–36). Most stations are here; almost any antenna picks it up. More in the glossary .
Where ION 38.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WCPX-TV RF 34 · UHF
WCPX-TV's own transmitter.
Which way to point for ION around Chicago
Aim at the WCPX-TV tower , at the main tower site with most other stations.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora, IL | east-northeast (76°) | 35 mi |
| Joliet, IL | northeast (46°) | 36 mi |
| Elgin, IL | east-southeast (107°) | 37 mi |
| Waukegan, IL | south-southeast (160°) | 36 mi |
| Hammond, IN | north-northwest (338°) | 19 mi |
| Oak Lawn, IL | north-northeast (28°) | 13 mi |
The antenna you need for ION in Chicago
ION reaches ordinary TVs on UHF, so any antenna that picks up UHF will do. Close to the towers an indoor antenna by a window often works; farther out, height matters most: attic beats window, roof beats attic.
The best antenna for all of Chicago · VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary
More free channels from WCPX-TV
- 38.2 Bounce TV
- 38.3 Court TV
- 38.4 Laff
- 38.5 Ion Plus
- 38.6 Busted
- 38.7 Game Show Central
- 38.8 HSN
Other networks in Chicago
Questions about ION in Chicago
What channel is ION on antenna in Chicago?
Why did ION 38.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for ION in Chicago?
Where this comes from
- Stations, towers, channels and power: FCC Licensing and Management System (LMS) public database, data of .
- Networks and subchannels: our affiliations dataset, built from Wikipedia (used under CC BY-SA 4.0), the network field stations file with the FCC, and station websites; checked . Credits.
- Towns and distances: US Census Bureau: Vintage 2025 city population estimates (SUB-EST2025) and 2026 Gazetteer place coordinates; distances are straight-line from each town's Census centre point.
- Market area: Market area: counties assigned by FCC service-contour coverage of each market's full-power stations (FCC LMS market list, Census 2020).
Updated How we work this out