diff --git a/lib/microwaveprop/propagation/band_config.ex b/lib/microwaveprop/propagation/band_config.ex
index 0d4caf78..19c858da 100644
--- a/lib/microwaveprop/propagation/band_config.ex
+++ b/lib/microwaveprop/propagation/band_config.ex
@@ -906,4 +906,31 @@ defmodule Microwaveprop.Propagation.BandConfig do
   @doc "Returns the default refractivity scores as {beneficial, harmful}."
   @spec refractivity_default() :: {number(), number()}
   def refractivity_default, do: @refractivity_default
+
+  @doc """
+  Returns the propagation-mechanism stack for a band.
+
+  Each band has a list of physical processes that can deliver a
+  contact at that frequency. Cell-level scoring takes the max over
+  these mechanisms — they're alternative paths, not additive — so
+  e.g. a Kp-6 aurora opening can light up 6 m even when the tropo
+  picture is poor.
+
+  Defaults are derived from frequency:
+  - ≤ 432 MHz → `[:tropo, :aurora]` (auroral E-region scatter is a
+    50 / 144 / 222 phenomenon, occasionally on 432 MHz, essentially
+    never above)
+  - > 432 MHz → `[:tropo]`
+
+  Bands can override by setting `:mechanisms` directly in
+  `@band_configs`. Path-level scoring (in `Propagation.PathCompute`)
+  layers `:es` and `:f2` on top for the bands where those reach;
+  those are inherently path-distance-dependent so they don't enter
+  cell-level scoring.
+  """
+  @spec mechanisms(map() | nil) :: [atom()]
+  def mechanisms(nil), do: [:tropo]
+  def mechanisms(%{mechanisms: list}) when is_list(list), do: list
+  def mechanisms(%{freq_mhz: f}) when f <= 432, do: [:tropo, :aurora]
+  def mechanisms(%{freq_mhz: _}), do: [:tropo]
 end
diff --git a/lib/microwaveprop/propagation/scorer.ex b/lib/microwaveprop/propagation/scorer.ex
index 37461a5f..94c47a4c 100644
--- a/lib/microwaveprop/propagation/scorer.ex
+++ b/lib/microwaveprop/propagation/scorer.ex
@@ -303,6 +303,74 @@ defmodule Microwaveprop.Propagation.Scorer do
   def aurora_boost(score, kp, _band_config) when kp >= 4, do: clamp_score(score + 5)
   def aurora_boost(score, _kp, _band_config), do: clamp_score(score)
 
+  @doc """
+  Standalone score for one propagation mechanism on this band.
+
+  Returns a 0–100 integer. Unlike `aurora_boost/3` this does not
+  add to anything — it's the score *of that mechanism alone*, so
+  `cell_score/2` can take the max across the band's mechanism stack
+  rather than summing tropo with a post-hoc bonus.
+
+  ## `:tropo`
+
+  Delegates to `composite_score/2`'s integer score — the existing
+  weighted sum of HRRR-derived factors.
+
+  ## `:aurora`
+
+  Auroral E-region scatter is observed on 50 / 144 / 222 MHz,
+  occasionally on 432 MHz, essentially never above. Scores follow
+  the NOAA G-scale ceiling for each Kp band:
+
+  * `kp` nil or `freq_mhz > 432` → 0
+  * `kp < 4` → 0 (geomagnetically quiet)
+  * `kp 4` (unsettled) → 40
+  * `kp 5` (G1) → 65
+  * `kp 6` (G2) → 85
+  * `kp ≥ 7` (G3+) → 100
+
+  Fractional `estimated_kp` from SWPC's per-minute feed truncates to
+  the lower integer band so threshold edges stay deterministic.
+  """
+  @spec mechanism_score(atom(), map(), map()) :: integer()
+  def mechanism_score(:tropo, conditions, band_config) do
+    composite_score(conditions, band_config).score
+  end
+
+  def mechanism_score(:aurora, conditions, band_config) do
+    aurora_only_score(conditions[:kp_index], band_config)
+  end
+
+  @doc """
+  Cell-level propagation score for a band: `max` over the band's
+  active mechanisms.
+
+  The mechanism list comes from `BandConfig.mechanisms/1`. Tropo
+  applies everywhere; aurora applies on VHF / low UHF when Kp is
+  elevated. Es and F2 are inherently path-dependent and don't enter
+  cell-level scoring — `Propagation.PathCompute` handles those.
+
+  Conditions must include whatever each mechanism reads. For
+  `:aurora` that's `:kp_index`; for `:tropo` it's the usual
+  composite-score inputs.
+  """
+  @spec cell_score(map(), map()) :: integer()
+  def cell_score(conditions, band_config) do
+    band_config
+    |> BandConfig.mechanisms()
+    |> Enum.map(&mechanism_score(&1, conditions, band_config))
+    |> Enum.max()
+    |> clamp_score()
+  end
+
+  defp aurora_only_score(nil, _band_config), do: 0
+  defp aurora_only_score(_kp, %{freq_mhz: f}) when f > 432, do: 0
+  defp aurora_only_score(kp, _band_config) when kp >= 7, do: 100
+  defp aurora_only_score(kp, _band_config) when kp >= 6, do: 85
+  defp aurora_only_score(kp, _band_config) when kp >= 5, do: 65
+  defp aurora_only_score(kp, _band_config) when kp >= 4, do: 40
+  defp aurora_only_score(_kp, _band_config), do: 0
+
   defp clamp_score(value) do
     value |> round() |> max(0) |> min(100)
   end
diff --git a/test/microwaveprop/propagation/scorer_test.exs b/test/microwaveprop/propagation/scorer_test.exs
index 64d5c3a8..02f150a6 100644
--- a/test/microwaveprop/propagation/scorer_test.exs
+++ b/test/microwaveprop/propagation/scorer_test.exs
@@ -944,4 +944,152 @@ defmodule Microwaveprop.Propagation.ScorerTest do
       assert cond_map.longitude == -97.0
     end
   end
+
+  # ── mechanism_score/3 + cell_score/2 ────────────────────────────
+  #
+  # Per-band propagation rules: each band's mechanism stack
+  # determines which physical processes can deliver a contact.
+  # `cell_score` takes the max over the band's active mechanisms so
+  # an aurora opening can score a 6 m cell even when the tropo
+  # picture is poor — they're alternative paths, not additive.
+
+  describe "mechanism_score/3 :aurora" do
+    @vhf_2m %{freq_mhz: 144}
+    @uhf_70cm %{freq_mhz: 432}
+    @uhf_23cm %{freq_mhz: 1_296}
+
+    test "nil Kp returns 0" do
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: nil}, @vhf_2m) == 0
+    end
+
+    test "freq > 432 MHz returns 0 regardless of Kp" do
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 7}, @uhf_23cm) == 0
+    end
+
+    test "Kp < 4 returns 0 (geomagnetically quiet)" do
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 0}, @vhf_2m) == 0
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 3}, @vhf_2m) == 0
+    end
+
+    test "ramps with Kp on VHF" do
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 4}, @vhf_2m) == 40
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 5}, @vhf_2m) == 65
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 6}, @vhf_2m) == 85
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 7}, @vhf_2m) == 100
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 9}, @vhf_2m) == 100
+    end
+
+    test "70 cm is included — auroral propagation does occur there" do
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 6}, @uhf_70cm) == 85
+    end
+
+    test "fractional Kp truncates to the lower band" do
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 4.67}, @vhf_2m) == 40
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:aurora, %{kp_index: 5.33}, @vhf_2m) == 65
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe "mechanism_score/3 :tropo" do
+    test "delegates to composite_score and returns the integer score" do
+      conditions = %{
+        abs_humidity: 8.0,
+        temp_f: 70.0,
+        dewpoint_f: 60.0,
+        min_refractivity_gradient: -100.0,
+        bl_depth_m: 500.0,
+        month: 7,
+        rain_rate_mmhr: 0.0,
+        pwat_mm: 30.0,
+        tod_score: 60,
+        sky_score: 70,
+        wind_score: 80,
+        pressure_score: 75,
+        latitude: 33.0,
+        longitude: -97.0
+      }
+
+      band = BandConfig.get(10_000)
+      expected = Scorer.composite_score(conditions, band).score
+      assert Scorer.mechanism_score(:tropo, conditions, band) == expected
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe "cell_score/2" do
+    @tropo_conditions %{
+      abs_humidity: 8.0,
+      temp_f: 70.0,
+      dewpoint_f: 60.0,
+      min_refractivity_gradient: -150.0,
+      bl_depth_m: 400.0,
+      month: 7,
+      rain_rate_mmhr: 0.0,
+      pwat_mm: 35.0,
+      tod_score: 60,
+      sky_score: 70,
+      wind_score: 80,
+      pressure_score: 75,
+      latitude: 33.0,
+      longitude: -97.0
+    }
+
+    test "tropo-only band (>432 MHz) returns the tropo score" do
+      band = BandConfig.get(10_000)
+      tropo = Scorer.composite_score(@tropo_conditions, band).score
+      assert Scorer.cell_score(@tropo_conditions, band) == tropo
+    end
+
+    test "VHF in a Kp 6 storm returns aurora when it beats tropo" do
+      # Atmosphere set up to deliver a low tropo (anti-duct: zero
+      # gradient, deep BL, no moisture). Aurora at Kp 6 == 85 wins.
+      bad = %{
+        @tropo_conditions
+        | abs_humidity: 1.0,
+          temp_f: 30.0,
+          dewpoint_f: 0.0,
+          min_refractivity_gradient: 0.0,
+          bl_depth_m: 1500.0,
+          month: 1,
+          rain_rate_mmhr: 5.0,
+          pwat_mm: 5.0,
+          tod_score: 30,
+          sky_score: 5,
+          wind_score: 20,
+          pressure_score: 30
+      }
+
+      band = BandConfig.get(144)
+      conditions = Map.put(bad, :kp_index, 6)
+      tropo = Scorer.composite_score(conditions, band).score
+      score = Scorer.cell_score(conditions, band)
+      assert score == max(tropo, 85)
+      assert score == 85
+    end
+
+    test "VHF with quiet Kp returns the tropo score" do
+      band = BandConfig.get(144)
+      conditions = Map.put(@tropo_conditions, :kp_index, 0)
+      tropo = Scorer.composite_score(conditions, band).score
+      assert Scorer.cell_score(conditions, band) == tropo
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe "BandConfig.mechanisms/1" do
+    test "VHF / low UHF (≤432 MHz) gets tropo + aurora" do
+      assert BandConfig.mechanisms(BandConfig.get(50)) == [:tropo, :aurora]
+      assert BandConfig.mechanisms(BandConfig.get(144)) == [:tropo, :aurora]
+      assert BandConfig.mechanisms(BandConfig.get(222)) == [:tropo, :aurora]
+      assert BandConfig.mechanisms(BandConfig.get(432)) == [:tropo, :aurora]
+    end
+
+    test "microwave (>432 MHz) is tropo-only" do
+      assert BandConfig.mechanisms(BandConfig.get(902)) == [:tropo]
+      assert BandConfig.mechanisms(BandConfig.get(1_296)) == [:tropo]
+      assert BandConfig.mechanisms(BandConfig.get(10_000)) == [:tropo]
+      assert BandConfig.mechanisms(BandConfig.get(241_000)) == [:tropo]
+    end
+
+    test "an explicit :mechanisms override on a band wins" do
+      assert BandConfig.mechanisms(%{freq_mhz: 144, mechanisms: [:tropo]}) == [:tropo]
+    end
+  end
 end