What channel is ION on antenna in Des Moines-Ames?
ION is channel 39.1 (KFPX-TV).
It broadcasts on RF 36 (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 KFPX-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 39.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
KFPX-TV RF 36 · UHF
KFPX-TV's own transmitter.
Which way to point for ION around Des Moines-Ames
Aim at the KFPX-TV tower . It stands apart from the main tower site, so it may need its own aim.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | north-northwest (348°) | 5 mi |
| West Des Moines, IA | north-northeast (25°) | 20 mi |
| Urbandale, IA | northeast (34°) | 14 mi |
| Marshalltown, IA | west-southwest (247°) | 40 mi |
| Indianola, IA | north (355°) | 31 mi |
| Newton, IA | west-northwest (285°) | 31 mi |
| Norwalk, IA | north (10°) | 23 mi |
| Knoxville, IA | northwest (322°) | 43 mi |
The antenna you need for ION in Des Moines-Ames
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 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 KFPX-TV
- 39.2 Court TV
- 39.3 Laff
- 39.4 Ion Mystery
- 39.5 Ion Plus
- 39.6 Busted
- 39.7 Game Show Central
- 39.8 HSN
- 39.9 HSN2
Other networks in Des Moines-Ames
Questions about ION in Des Moines-Ames
What channel is ION on antenna in Des Moines-Ames?
Why did ION 39.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for ION 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