KAET channel 8.1
KAET is a PBS station on channel 8.1 in the Phoenix area. Its tower is 8.5 miles west-southwest of Tempe. 15 of the 15 Phoenix cities we cover get it at a Strong or Moderate signal.
- Channel
- 8.1
- Band
- VHF
- Cities served
- 15
What's on KAET
KAET broadcasts 5 channels, all free with an antenna. Network names link to the channel finder for that network.
| Channel | Programming | On-screen name |
|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | PBS | PBS |
| 8.2 | Arizona PBS Life | Life |
| 8.3 | World | World |
| 8.4 | PBS Kids | - |
| 8.5 | Dolby Digital 5.1 simulcast of KBAQ | KBAQ |
Reception notes
- VHF. KAET transmits on RF channel 8, in the High VHF band (RF 7 to 13). Many flat indoor antennas pick up VHF poorly, so choose an antenna rated for VHF as well as UHF. VHF antenna guide
- NextGen TV. The FCC does not list KAET as broadcasting in ATSC 3.0, so any digital TV tuner can receive it.
Where KAET comes in
Strongest within about 27 miles of the tower, which stands 8.5 miles to the west-southwest of Tempe. 11 cities get a Strong signal and 4 get Moderate, out to 36 miles.
| City | Tower distance | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Tempe, AZ | 8.5 mi WSW | Strong |
| Chandler, AZ | 13 mi WNW | Strong |
| Avondale, AZ | 16 mi E | Strong |
| Glendale, AZ | 16 mi SSE | Strong |
| Phoenix, AZ | 17 mi S | Strong |
| Goodyear, AZ | 18 mi ENE | Strong |
| Gilbert, AZ | 19 mi W | Strong |
| Maricopa, AZ | 20 mi N | Strong |
| Mesa, AZ | 21 mi WSW | Strong |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 27 mi WNW | Strong |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 27 mi SSW | Strong |
| Surprise, AZ | 32 mi SE | Moderate |
| Buckeye, AZ | 34 mi ESE | Moderate |
| Casa Grande, AZ | 34 mi NNW | Moderate |
| Peoria, AZ | 36 mi SSE | Moderate |
Distance and direction are from each city's center to the tower. Signal ratings are estimates from the FCC's coverage contour and distance.
Other stations with the same network
Station summary
| Network | PBS |
|---|---|
| Virtual channel | 8.1 |
| RF channel | 8 (VHF-high) |
| Service | Full power |
| Community of license | Phoenix, AZ |
| Licensee | ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS FOR ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY |
| Effective radiated power | 40 kW |
| NextGen TV | No |
Sources
- FCC TV Query record for KAET (channels, tower, power, licensee and NextGen TV)
- Wikipedia: KAET (network and subchannels, CC BY-SA 4.0)
Station and tower data: FCC, Nov 6, 2026. Network and subchannel data: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Signal tiers are estimates from FCC coverage areas and distance, without terrain modeling. How we estimate signals.