Grid KA18 Band Conditions
Localized HF conditions for Maidenhead locator KA18. Coordinating at -81.50°, 23.00°. Updated with real-time telemetry from NOAA and DX cluster reports.
KA18 currently has elevated aurora risk (Kp: 5). High-latitude paths may be degraded.
From the KA18 operating area, work the no sunrise — polar night and no sunset — polar night grayline windows: probe 20m, 30m, and 40m in the 15 minutes either side while the terminator crosses KA18.
Night operation should keep 20m on watch and move to 40m as the path darkens.
This square sits in a mixed-region footprint and is best used as a planning center for portable, field-day, and home-station band decisions.
- Latitude zone
- high-latitude
- Local phase
- Darkness
- Aurora exposure
- elevated — auroral absorption likely (Kp 5)
- Grayline
- no sunrise — polar night / no sunset — polar night
- Best high band
- 10m
- Nearest city
- the KA18 operating area
● Local Band Quality Scorings
Use this local score for KA18, then compare the global live ranking oncurrent ham band conditionsbefore changing bands.
● Best DX Windows from KA18 — the KA18 operating area
Great-circle distance, short-path beam heading, the bands most likely open right now from KA18 to each DX region at SFI 150 / Kp 5, and a current verdict. "Open now" means a suitable band is scoring well on that path; "Try ~HH:MM" points at the next far-end grayline. Band picks and status are a planning heuristic, not a measurement.
| Target | Distance | Beam | Bands to try | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Africa | 3,836 mi | 3° | 40m, 20m | Marginal now |
| Oceania | 4,514 mi | 130° | 40m, 20m | Marginal now |
| South America | 5,102 mi | 277° | 40m, 20m | Try ~21:40 UTC |
| South Asia | 7,391 mi | 53° | 40m, 20m | Marginal now |
| East Asia / Japan | 8,926 mi | 109° | 40m, 20m | Marginal now |
| Europe | 9,099 mi | 349° | 40m, 20m | Marginal now |
| North America | 9,187 mi | 246° | 40m, 20m | Marginal now |
● Band-by-Time Plan for KA18
A planning heuristic for the local day at KA18, built from sunrise no sunrise — polar night, sunset no sunset — polar night, SFI 150, and Kp 5. Not a measurement — a starting point for where to listen as the day turns.
Grayline enhancement — low bands reach long distances as the terminator passes. Geomagnetic storm in progress (Kp 5) — expect absorption and weak high-latitude paths.
High bands rising with the sun; check 10m for DX.
Peak high-band window — 10m and 15m open widest.
Second grayline peak — 20m holds, then hands off to 40m. Geomagnetic storm in progress (Kp 5) — expect absorption and weak high-latitude paths.
Low bands own the darkness — 40m for DX, 80m regional. Geomagnetic storm in progress (Kp 5) — expect absorption and weak high-latitude paths.
Recent local activity
Spots touching KA18 and the adjacent squares
These are the newest 10m, 15m, and 20m reports where one side of the path sits in KA18, KA19, KA17, KA28, KA08. This gives the page unique, local context instead of a generic solar snapshot.
Top DX targets
Where this grid is reaching right now
Contest preview
Next major contest outlook
Worked All Europe - SSB starts Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT. Current forecast from KA18: 10m POOR, 15m POOR, 20m POOR. Geomagnetic conditions are mixed (SFI 150, K 5). Expect 20m and 40m to carry most of the weekend.
Open contest calendarNearby grids
Four adjacent squares for internal path checking
Regional hub links