15 meters band
15 meters is a classic daytime DX band that shines when the solar cycle is high — long, strong openings reachable with modest antennas.
Propagation & character
A daytime band that lives and dies with the sun: superb during solar maxima, sparse during minima. When it is open, signals are loud and DX comes easily.
What 15 meters is used for
CW, SSB, and FT8, with big DX and contest activity in good solar years.
Operating tips
- Technicians have a CW segment here — a great place to get started on HF.
- Watch the solar flux; an SFI above roughly 120 tends to wake the band up.
- A 15 m dipole is about 22 ft.
Antennas for 15 meters
A half-wave dipole for 15 meters is about 22.0 ft (6.7 m) end to end. Work out an exact starting length with the antenna calculator, then trim for lowest SWR.
15 meters band FAQ
What frequencies is the 15 meters band?
The 15 meters band covers 21.000–21.450 MHz — part of the high frequency (HF) spectrum. Common modes are CW, SSB, FT8.
What is the 15 meters band used for?
CW, SSB, and FT8, with big DX and contest activity in good solar years.
What license do you need to use 15 meters?
Technician (CW segment), General and up for phone.
How long is a dipole for 15 meters?
A half-wave dipole for 15 meters is about 22.0 ft (6.7 m) end to end, with each leg half that. Use the HamDaily antenna calculator for an exact starting length, then trim to resonance.