What channel is NBC on antenna in Des Moines-Ames?
NBC is channel 13.1 (WHO-DT).
It broadcasts on RF 13 (VHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put NBC on WHO-DT within antenna reach of about 97% of people in the Des Moines-Ames market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 0% (an estimate, not yet checked against real scans). Check your ZIP.
Updated from FCC data
Lost NBC? 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 NBC still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the WHO-DT tower and handle VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary .
Where NBC 13.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WHO-DT RF 13 · VHF
WHO-DT's own transmitter.
Which way to point for NBC around Des Moines-Ames
Aim at the WHO-DT tower . It stands apart from the main tower site, so it may need its own aim.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | north (351°) | 5 mi |
| West Des Moines, IA | north-northeast (26°) | 20 mi |
| Urbandale, IA | northeast (35°) | 15 mi |
| Marshalltown, IA | west-southwest (247°) | 40 mi |
| Indianola, IA | north (355°) | 31 mi |
| Newton, IA | west-northwest (285°) | 31 mi |
| Norwalk, IA | north (11°) | 23 mi |
| Knoxville, IA | northwest (322°) | 43 mi |
The antenna you need for NBC in Des Moines-Ames
NBC reaches ordinary TVs on VHF, so choose an antenna rated for VHF as well as UHF; many flat indoor antennas are weak on VHF. 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 WHO-DT
- 13.2 Cozi TV
- 13.3 Antenna TV
- 13.4 Iowa's Weather Channel
Other networks in Des Moines-Ames
Questions about NBC in Des Moines-Ames
What channel is NBC on antenna in Des Moines-Ames?
Why did NBC 13.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for NBC 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