24.9 MHz sits just below 10 meters, and that tiny difference matters more than it looks. The ionosphere has to be almost as hard-ionised to bend it back — but almost is the point.
WHY THE TEASE BAND, AND THE ONE PEOPLE FORGET
24.9 MHz sits just below 10 meters, and that tiny difference matters more than it looks. The ionosphere has to be almost as hard-ionised to bend it back — but almost is the point. On the days when 10 meters is marginal and frustrating, 12 is frequently wide open.
It is a WARC band, which means contests are not allowed on it by long-standing agreement. On a contest weekend when 10, 15 and 20 are a wall of noise, 12 meters is quiet and civil. That is worth knowing.
Like all the high bands it follows the sun: up in the late morning, gone shortly after dark. Watch it when the flux climbs past about 120.
WHEN IT WORKS
BEST · Late morning through afternoon, higher fluxWORST · Night, and solar minimumWATCH · When 10m is marginal, check 12m
WHO MAY TRANSMIT WHERE · 47 CFR §97.301
FREQUENCY (MHz)
MODE
LICENSE CLASS
24.890–24.930
CW / RTTY / data
General, Advanced, Extra
24.930–24.990
Voice / image
General, Advanced, Extra
Is 12 meters open right now? The Ham Radio IQ app shows the MUF and LUF over your head this minute, whether this band is above or below them, and a map of real contacts being heard worldwide. See the board →