Today's game stop
Skywave
Skywave is a daily HF propagation puzzle where you try to work ten fictional radio stations in one UTC day by choosing band, mode and antenna while watching a 3D globe and solar numbers; a new set appears at 00:00 UTC.
Play SkywaveA fresh puzzle is waiting for you.
Skywave puts ten made-up HF stations on an interactive 3D globe and gives you one UTC day to work them. You read solar numbers, pick a band, mode and antenna, then call when you think the propagation path is open. The game simplifies real physics and is explicitly a puzzle, not a predictive tool for real contacts.
The interface shows the current solar data, K index, eleven amateur bands from 160m to 6m, and modes FT8, CW and SSB. Each call consumes ten minutes of in-game time and the clock only moves forward, so you can wait but you cannot reverse time. Hints are available at a points cost and you track QSOs and score.
Skywave runs in the browser with adjustable graphics and ionosphere layers and keeps progress only in that browser; there is no account and no cookies. A practice mode lets you set solar flux, K index and a UTC date to run extra rounds without affecting your daily streak. The game was created by Arthur of DEXM Labs.
How to play Skywave
- Open Skywave in your browser and load today’s round; the globe and station list will appear.
- Check the displayed solar numbers and K index to judge propagation conditions for the UTC day.
- Select a band (160m to 6m), choose a mode (FT8, CW or SSB), set power and aim your antenna heading.
- Pick a station that is listening at the current UTC clock time and place a call; each call costs ten minutes of game time.
- Use optional paid hints if you need MUF, D-layer loss or a band scope, but they deduct points from your score.
- Continue calling stations until you have worked all ten or end the day; your final score and station log are shown.
Tips for Skywave
- Prioritize stations whose listening windows align with favorable solar numbers and a low K index to maximize the chance a call succeeds.
- Use the practice mode to experiment with different solar flux and K index settings before attempting the daily round; practice rounds do not affect your streak.
- Manage your in-game time carefully because every call consumes ten minutes and the clock cannot be moved backwards.
- Only use paid hints when you need them since each hint type (MUF, D loss, Band scope) subtracts points from your final score.
Skywave FAQ
What is Skywave?
Skywave is a daily HF propagation puzzle where you attempt to work ten fictional radio stations within one UTC day; you use a 3D globe, solar numbers and ionospheric layers to decide when to call. The game simplifies propagation physics, shows eleven bands from 160m to 6m and supports FT8, CW and SSB modes.
Is Skywave free to play?
Yes, Skywave is free to play and requires no account; nothing is stored except your progress in the browser. The site explicitly states there are no cookies and no account, and your settings and daily progress remain only in that browser.
How many calls or guesses do I get per daily round?
You get up to ten contacts to make per daily round because each puzzle provides ten made-up stations to work. Each call you place consumes ten minutes of the in-game UTC clock, and the clock only moves forward so you cannot undo time or calls.
When does the new Skywave puzzle appear?
A new set of stations is released every day at 00:00 UTC. The game page states that a new set of stations is provided daily at that UTC reset time.
Can I play past puzzles or practice other conditions?
You can use the Practice mode to set your own UTC date, solar flux and K index and play as many rounds as you like, but practice rounds do not change your official daily streak. Practice lets you explore different seasonal conditions such as sporadic E in northern summer.
Who made Skywave?
Skywave was created by Arthur of DEXM Labs. The page includes a short author note explaining Arthur built the game, that propagation is simplified, and provides a contact email for feedback.
What do the available hints do and how do they affect score?
Hints provide specific information such as MUF, D-layer loss or a band scope and each hint is paid per station with a points cost. The hint types listed are MUF (10 points), D loss (10 points) and Band scope (20 points), and using them reduces your final score.
Can I share my Skywave results?
Yes, Skywave provides a Share result function to copy your result text after the round. The interface includes a Share result and Copy control beside the end-of-day result screen for sharing or saving your outcome.
