Propagation conditions

Are the bands “open”? Below are current solar and geomagnetic data, HF conditions and — separately — 2 m / 70 cm (tropo). The data update automatically.

Update: loading… · sources: hamqsl.com · open-meteo

Solar and geomagnetic data

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Shortwave · HF band conditions

rating · day / night

VHF/UHF — 2 m / 70 cm

tropo · Sporadic-E · aurora

Important: DX on 2 m/70 cm is driven by the troposphere (inversions, anticyclones — “tropo/ducting”), not the Sun — so SFI and the K index don’t apply. Everyday work via repeaters is local and doesn’t depend on these conditions. We estimate a tropo index from the weather (pressure + inversion + wind); full forecast: Hepburn tropo map (Europe) ↗.

How to read this: SFI and the sunspot number — the higher they are, the better the ionisation and the more readily the higher HF bands (10–15 m) come to life. The K/A index shows geomagnetic disturbance — the lower, the better (K 0–2 = quiet, K ≥ 5 = storm). On 2 m/70 cm watch tropo (high pressure = ducting), and in summer Sporadic-E, which can even open 2 m for short hops.

Catch an opening

Favourable conditions? See the greyline and catch the best DX opening.

UTC clock and greyline