12 meters band
“WARC band”
12 meters is a small WARC band with 10-meter-like excitement — dramatic DX when the sun cooperates, and quiet civility the rest of the time.
Propagation & character
A daytime DX band highly dependent on solar activity. It can produce surprising long-haul openings, including summer sporadic-E.
What 12 meters is used for
CW, SSB, and digital for DX. No contests are run on this WARC band.
Operating tips
- Like 10 meters, it rewards watching for sudden openings.
- Strong solar flux is your friend here.
- A 12 m dipole is about 19 ft.
Antennas for 12 meters
A half-wave dipole for 12 meters is about 18.8 ft (5.7 m) end to end. Work out an exact starting length with the antenna calculator, then trim for lowest SWR.
12 meters band FAQ
What frequencies is the 12 meters band?
The 12 meters band covers 24.890–24.990 MHz — part of the high frequency (HF) spectrum. Common modes are CW, SSB, digital.
What is the 12 meters band used for?
CW, SSB, and digital for DX. No contests are run on this WARC band.
What license do you need to use 12 meters?
General, Advanced, and Extra.
How long is a dipole for 12 meters?
A half-wave dipole for 12 meters is about 18.8 ft (5.7 m) end to end, with each leg half that. Use the HamDaily antenna calculator for an exact starting length, then trim to resonance.