What channel is PBS on antenna in Rochester-Mason City-Austin?
PBS is channel 15.1 (KSMQ-TV).
It broadcasts on RF 20 (UHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put PBS on KSMQ-TV within antenna reach of about 91% of people in the Rochester-Mason City-Austin market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 65% (an estimate, not yet checked against real scans). Check your ZIP.
Updated from FCC data
Lost PBS? 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 PBS still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the KSMQ-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 PBS 15.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
KSMQ-TV RF 20 · UHF
KSMQ-TV's own transmitter.
Which way to point for PBS around Rochester-Mason City-Austin
Aim at the KSMQ-TV tower , at the main tower site with most other stations.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mason City, IA | northeast (44°) | 48 mi |
| Owatonna, MN | southeast (131°) | 47 mi |
| Decorah, IA | west-northwest (303°) | 44 mi |
| Charles City, IA | north (10°) | 41 mi |
| Lake City, MN | south-southwest (192°) | 57 mi |
| Plainview, MN | south-southwest (206°) | 40 mi |
The antenna you need for PBS in Rochester-Mason City-Austin
PBS 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 Rochester-Mason City-Austin · VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary
If 15.1 doesn't come in
PBS is also on:
More free channels from KSMQ-TV
- 15.2 Minnesota Channel
- 15.3 PBS
- 15.4 PBS Kids
- 15.5 24/7 Weather
Other networks in Rochester-Mason City-Austin
Questions about PBS in Rochester-Mason City-Austin
What channel is PBS on antenna in Rochester-Mason City-Austin?
Why did PBS 15.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for PBS in Rochester-Mason City-Austin?
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