Best TV antenna for Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls(Mitchell) TV market · 9 stations · tower locations from FCC records, checked October 30, 2026
The short answer
- Get an antenna rated for VHF-high (channels 7–13) and UHF; many flat "HD" antennas are weak on VHF-high.
- Sioux Falls's towers are spread in different directions, so a multidirectional antenna — or a directional one on a rotator — is the safer choice.
- From most of Sioux Falls an indoor antenna by a window often works; go to the attic or roof if you're in a basement, behind a hill or want the VHF stations.
- Nothing special is needed for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0): the same antenna works.
Measured from central Sioux Falls. Hills, buildings and trees matter as much as miles, so use your zip below and the address-level maps linked at the bottom before you buy.
Check from your zip code
Where Sioux Falls’s TV towers are
The channel number on your TV isn’t the frequency the station uses. The “real channel” decides which antenna you need: 2–6 is VHF-low, 7–13 VHF-high, 14–36 UHF.
| Station | Real channel | Tower from Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| KCSD-TV (PBS 23) | 24 · UHF | 5 miles northeast |
| KTTW (17) | 7 · VHF-high | 8 miles east-southeast |
| KSFL-TV (36) | 36 · UHF | 8 miles east-southeast |
| KDLT-TV (NBC 46) NBC, FOX | 21 · UHF | 9 miles east-southeast |
| KELO-TV (CBS 11) | 11 · VHF-high | 10 miles east |
| KSFY-TV (ABC 13) ABC, MeTV | 13 · VHF-high | 10 miles east |
| KUSD-TV (PBS 2) | 34 · UHF | 33 miles south |
| KSMN (PBS 20) | 15 · UHF | 46 miles east-northeast |
| KESD-TV (PBS 8) | 8 · VHF-high | 61 miles north-northwest |
Also in the Sioux Falls(Mitchell) market but more than 70 miles from Sioux Falls: KDLV-TV (86 miles west), KTTM (92 miles west-northwest), KDLO-TV (108 miles north-northwest), KDSD-TV (144 miles north-northwest), KTSD-TV (146 miles west-northwest), KPLO-TV (151 miles west), KPRY-TV (171 miles west-northwest), KQSD-TV (201 miles northwest).
The VHF stations to plan for
KTTW (17), KELO-TV (CBS 11), KSFY-TV (ABC 13) and KESD-TV (PBS 8) broadcast on VHF-high (real channels 7, 11, 13 and 8). If those drop out while UHF stations come in fine, the antenna is the likely cause: pick one that lists VHF-high reception, or extend the rabbit-ear dipoles on an indoor model.
Which type to buy
- Indoor antenna: fine if you’re within roughly 20 miles of the towers with a window facing them, and if it lists VHF reception. Put it high and near the window.
- Attic or outdoor antenna: the better choice beyond about 20–25 miles, behind hills, or for the VHF stations. Outdoors beats attic; roofing and insulation absorb signal.
- Preamplifier: helps with long cable runs, several TVs on one antenna, or fringe distances. It can make things worse if you’re very close to the towers, because strong signals overload it.
- Skip anything sold as a special “4K”, “HD” or “NextGen TV” antenna. Antennas don’t have formats; only the bands and the gain matter.
Questions
What kind of antenna do I need in Sioux Falls?
You need an antenna rated for VHF-high (channels 7–13) and UHF; many flat "HD" antennas are weak on VHF-high. From most of Sioux Falls an indoor antenna by a window often works; go to the attic or roof if you're in a basement, behind a hill or want the VHF stations.
Which way should I point my antenna in Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls's towers are spread in different directions, so a multidirectional antenna — or a directional one on a rotator — is the safer choice.
Why can't my antenna get KTTW (17) or KELO-TV (CBS 11)?
KTTW (17), KELO-TV (CBS 11), KSFY-TV (ABC 13) and KESD-TV (PBS 8) broadcast on VHF (real channels 7, 11, 13 and 8), even though your TV shows a different channel number. Many flat and "HD" indoor antennas are designed mainly for UHF and pick up VHF poorly. An antenna with longer VHF elements, mounted higher, usually fixes it.
Do I need a new antenna for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) in Sioux Falls?
No. NextGen TV uses the same channels, so any antenna that gets your stations today will get their NextGen TV versions. What you need is a TV or converter box with a 3.0 tuner.
Check your exact address
Distances don’t account for hills or buildings. For a signal prediction at your address, try the FCC’s DTV reception maps or the RabbitEars signal search.
Sioux Falls(Mitchell): NextGen TV status and shutoff timeline →
Tower locations: FCC Licensing and Management System (each station’s latest filing). Zip and city locations: USPS zip code centroids. Distances are straight-line from the center of Sioux Falls.