LIVE DATA // RAINSCATTER // 10 GHz+

Rainscatter Conditions Tool

Real-time radar overlay showing precipitation along any great-circle path between two Maidenhead grid squares. Calculates scatter point geometry, rain cell intensity profile, scatter azimuth/elevation, and provides a band-specific QSO opportunity assessment for 3 cm, 1.25 cm, and 6 mm microwave.

Live NEXRAD Radar Scatter Point Geometry 10 / 24 / 47 GHz Path Rain Profile RainViewer API Open-Meteo Precip Animated Radar Loop Auto-Refresh
Radar: RainViewer.com (10-min steps)
Precipitation: Open-Meteo hourly
Coverage: N. America, Europe, Asia
Auto-refresh: every 5 min
rainscatter.com ↗
Path Setup
Station A — Grid Locator
Station B — Grid Locator
Amateur Band
AGL A (m)
AGL B (m)
Animate radar loop
Show path line on map
Show scatter volume zone
Auto-refresh (5 min)
Radar Color Scale
Light drizzle (<10 dBZ)
Moderate rain (20–35 dBZ)
Heavy rain (40–50 dBZ) ★
Intense storm (>55 dBZ)
★ Best rainscatter: 35–55 dBZ
Enter two grid locators and click Analyze Path
Live NEXRAD Radar — Path Overlay
Radar frame: —
Rainscatter Theory & Band Guide
10 GHz (3 cm)
Easiest band for rainscatter. Rain attenuation ~0.01 dB/km/mm/hr. Typical QSO distances 150–600 km. Best with moderate to heavy rain (20+ dBZ). Scatter paths work with simple dish antennas.
24 GHz (1.25 cm)
Higher attenuation ~0.07 dB/km/mm/hr. Shorter paths 50–250 km typically. Requires heavier rain (30+ dBZ). More sensitive to rain cell position. Excellent scatter efficiency in convective storms.
47 GHz (6 mm)
Very high attenuation. Short paths only 20–100 km. Needs intense rain cells (40+ dBZ). Very high forward scatter efficiency. Challenging but very rewarding. Critical geometry alignment needed.
Scatter volume is near the geometric midpoint of the path at ~3–5 km altitude. Beam both antennas toward the rain cell centroid at the computed azimuth/elevation for maximum scatter return. For optimal conditions: look for a compact convective cell (not stratiform) within 25% of path length from the midpoint, with reflectivity 35–55 dBZ. Open rainscatter.com ↗ for real-time station spots.