Contest planning
Ham Radio Contest Calendar with Propagation Forecast
Plan contest weekends using live DXRadar solar conditions. The cards below combine contest schedules with the current band outlook so you can decide whether 10m is a rate band or a monitor-only band.
Next contest
No major contest loaded
Use the band strategy below as a fallback when the live contest feed is empty or between major weekends.
Rate bands
10m and 15m first when SFI is strong
If Kp is quiet and solar flux is carrying, high bands can produce fast rates. Keep 20m ready as the all-day fallback.
Night plan
Move down as absorption drops
After sunset, watch 20m first, then 40m and 80m as the lower bands stabilize and regional multipliers improve.
Contest feed temporarily empty
The page still works as a propagation planning checklist. Check current band conditions, then use the daily forecast to pick likely run and multiplier windows before the next contest list refresh.
Contest band strategy
How to use the propagation forecast on contest weekend
Check first when SFI is elevated. It can become the fastest rate band during daylight.
Use as the high-band fallback when 10m is patchy but solar support remains good.
The safe all-day DX band for mixed paths, marginal high bands, and multiplier hunting.
The dependable evening and overnight band when high-band rates slow down.
Weekly Email Digest
Get the Friday propagation brief
A mobile-friendly weekend outlook with the current solar state, the strongest bands to watch, and a clean summary you can skim before heading into the shack or the field.