What channel is FOX on antenna in Des Moines-Ames?
FOX is channel 17.1 (KDSM-TV).
It is sent only in NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0), so it needs a newer TV or a 3.0 tuner box.
Our terrain predictions put FOX on KDSM-TV within antenna reach of about 98% of people in the Des Moines-Ames market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 91% (an estimate, not yet checked against real scans). Check your ZIP.
Updated from FCC data
Lost FOX? 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 FOX still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the KDSM-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 FOX 17.1 comes from
-
NextGen TV only (ATSC 3.0)
KDSM-TV RF 16 · UHF
KDSM-TV's own transmitter.
Which way to point for FOX around Des Moines-Ames
Aim at the KDSM-TV tower , at the main tower site with most other stations.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | north (353°) | 7 mi |
| West Des Moines, IA | north-northeast (24°) | 21 mi |
| Urbandale, IA | north-northeast (32°) | 16 mi |
| Marshalltown, IA | west-southwest (249°) | 39 mi |
| Indianola, IA | north (355°) | 32 mi |
| Newton, IA | west-northwest (288°) | 31 mi |
| Norwalk, IA | north (10°) | 24 mi |
| Knoxville, IA | northwest (323°) | 44 mi |
The antenna you need for FOX in Des Moines-Ames
FOX 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 Des Moines-Ames · 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 KDSM-TV
- 17.2 network unknown
- 17.3 Charge!
- 17.4 network unknown
- 17.10 T2
- 17.11 Pickleballtv
- 17.20 GameLoop
- 17.21 ROXi
Other networks in Des Moines-Ames
Questions about FOX in Des Moines-Ames
What channel is FOX on antenna in Des Moines-Ames?
Why did FOX 17.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for FOX in Des Moines-Ames?
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