Current band conditions
Current Ham Band Conditions: Best Bands Open Now
See which HF bands are worth calling on right now, with 10m highlighted first, a night-band fallback, and storm-safe options based on live solar telemetry.
EXCELLENT at 100/100 for a representative DX path.
10m is the first high-band check during Solar Cycle 25. Watch it before settling on 15m or 20m.
EXCELLENT after dark in the global heuristic. Use it when high bands fade.
If Kp rises, low and mid bands usually deserve the next listen before chasing weak high-band paths.
Why 10m matters first
When SFI is high and Kp is quiet, 10m can carry long-haul DX with low noise and simple antennas. If 10m is poor, step down to 15m and 20m.
Why 20m is the default
20m remains the safest all-day DX band when the high bands are uncertain. It is the fallback for mixed daylight paths and uneven solar conditions.
When 40m and 80m win
After sunset, D-layer absorption drops and low bands become more useful. During disturbed geomagnetic periods, they can beat noisy high-band paths.