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NEWBEE here! What is the easiest way to tell the band is open?

K

KB1UGX

Member
May 21, 2010
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0
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Hi guys

Im a very new ham and im just starting to explore 10 meters

Could someone please explain the easiest way to tell if the band is open or not

I have not had much luck understanding the propagation maps

I know you can try to transmit along the grey line
And ive also been told to listen to the propagation beacons.

Anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks
 

If you hear others on there the band is most likely open if it's quiet and you don't hear anything it most likely isn't open.
 
And just because you hear someone do not be discouraged if they can not hear you if you choose to try a contact with them.
 
Obviously the best way is to listen but don't forget that if everyone just listened nobody would hear anything so give out a few calls. You may be surprised. I think the best way to listen is to tune the beacon sud-band so a little CW knowledge comes in handy.

10 METER BEACON LIST
 
I'm very new myself and I've learned to listen for a minute or so before transmitting on an unfamiliar frequency. You're already a step above me going into the HF range, but remember to stay within your privileges. As a Tech you can only use 28.000 to 28.300 MHz for RTTY and data (packet), and 28.300 to 28.500 for SSB or single sideband transmissions (not FM).

You can also google for what's called "band plans" for your area. These will tell you what and how freqs are allocated in your region.
 
For 10 meters,about the only way to tell is if you are hearing other stations out there that fade in and out or fairly weak....alot of the time the signals are both fading and weak,

I have been hearing stations on 10 late afternoon early evening in my area...the band is unstable,stations for me fade in and out,but nice contacts can be made
 
KI7FOX said:
I'm very new myself and I've learned to listen for a minute or so before transmitting on an unfamiliar frequency. You're already a step above me going into the HF range, but remember to stay within your privileges. As a Tech you can only use 28.000 to 28.300 MHz for RTTY and data (packet), and 28.300 to 28.500 for SSB or single sideband transmissions (not FM).

You can also google for what's called "band plans" for your area. These will tell you what and how freqs are allocated in your region.
Click to expand...
Remember with USB, your signal is shifted up in frequency, so do not operate above 497. I usally tell the newcomers 495, for a buffer. Even if you can't copy code, you can still listen for signals to get an idea on band conditions.
Rich
 
A rudimentary way to do it is to listen to WWV, Fort Collins, CO on 2.5, 5, 10. 15, and 20 MHZ. Not a truly accurate way (other ways have been mentioned here), but it can getcha sorta, kinda, maybe close if you're looking at/for the MUF. Your "ear" will eventually become better and you will develop an intuition for it, too. Military operators also do this as well.

CWM
 
This isn't going to be the most popular answer out there, but this is the absolute, hands-down, BEST way to tell if 10 meters is open:

Dial down to 27.385 or 27.405 (CB channel 38 and 40) and see what you hear on LSB. If the CB guys are talking, then 10 meters is open, too. It's much easier and more reliable. :)
 
moleculo said:
This isn't going to be the most popular answer out there, but this is the absolute, hands-down, BEST way to tell if 10 meters is open:

Dial down to 27.385 or 27.405 (CB channel 38 and 40) and see what you hear on LSB. If the CB guys are talking, then 10 meters is open, too. It's much easier and more reliable. :)
Click to expand...


That generally works but there have been many times when the MUF was hanging right around 28 MHz and while 11m was showing some pretty good long haul DX, 10m was as dead as a door nail. I don't mean everyone was listening and not talking, I mean DEAD.
 
KB1UGX said:
Hi guys

Im a very new ham and im just starting to explore 10 meters

Could someone please explain the easiest way to tell if the band is open or not

I have not had much luck understanding the propagation maps

I know you can try to transmit along the grey line
And ive also been told to listen to the propagation beacons.

Anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks
Click to expand...


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