Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary

HF propagation is looking promising today, with solar flux at 169 and a sunspot number of 128—both supportive of strong upper HF band openings. The K-index is moderate at 2-3, indicating generally stable geomagnetic conditions, though recent days saw some unsettled periods. Expect good daytime propagation on 20m through 10m, with lower bands (80m, 40m) performing best after dark. Operators should watch for enhanced DX on higher bands during daylight, but be aware that minor disturbances could still cause short-term fading or absorption, especially at high latitudes. Take advantage of the current solar activity for DX, but keep an eye on the K-index for any sudden changes.

💡 Operator Tips

• Daytime: Focus on 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m for DX—these bands are open and performing well.
• Nighttime: Switch to 80m and 40m for reliable regional and intercontinental contacts.
• Modes: Use FT8, CW, and SSB for best results; digital modes excel during variable conditions.
• Antennas: Directional antennas will help you exploit openings, especially on higher bands.
• Contesters & DXers: Now is the time to hunt for rare DX on 10m and 12m during daylight—watch for short, strong openings.
• Portable Ops: Take advantage of low noise on higher bands; even simple antennas will yield results.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning (local time)
• 20m: Good all day, especially late morning to sunset
• 17m, 15m: Excellent from mid-morning through late afternoon
• 12m, 10m: Peak from late morning to mid-afternoon; may close at night

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Daytime grayline: Enhanced long-path and grayline propagation on 20m–10m, especially around sunrise and sunset.
• High bands (15m, 12m, 10m): Expect trans-equatorial and east-west openings during the day.
• Nighttime: 40m and 80m support intercontinental DX, especially on north-south paths.
• Aurora: With aurora level at 3, northern VHF/UHF operators may see minor auroral propagation, but HF impact is minimal.
• Special events: Watch for short-lived DX windows during solar wind fluctuations.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

20m, 17m, and 15m are the standout performers throughout the day, with 10m and 12m also excellent during daylight but closing after sunset. 80m and 40m are best at night, supporting strong regional and DX contacts. For all-day DX, 20m is your safest bet, while 10m and 12m offer exciting but more variable openings.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2-3 (moderate) — geomagnetic field is mostly quiet, supporting stable HF propagation.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 169 (high) — indicates strong solar energy, boosting upper HF band openings.
• Sunspot Number: 128 (active) — supports robust ionization, especially for 15m, 12m, and 10m.
• Space Weather: No major flares, but C-class X-ray activity (C2.0) signals ongoing solar activity—watch for sudden shortwave fadeouts.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

The K-index peaked above 5 briefly two days ago, causing some HF disruption, but has since settled to 2-3. This trend shows improving geomagnetic stability, which is great for HF propagation. If the K-index rises above 4 again, expect increased absorption and fading, especially on polar and high-latitude paths. For now, conditions are quiet to unsettled.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C2.0 — moderate solar flare activity; minor risk of short HF blackouts, especially on sunlit paths.
• Solar Wind: 418 km/s — moderate speed; not likely to cause major geomagnetic storms, but can trigger brief unsettled periods.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux is elevated (7630), proton flux is moderate (53); high electron levels can cause minor absorption at lower HF.
• Aurora Activity: Level 3 — minor auroral activity; HF mostly unaffected, but VHF/UHF operators in northern latitudes may see brief auroral propagation.
• Helium Line: 125.9 — steady, indicating no major upswings in solar activity trend.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

Solar flux and sunspot numbers have remained consistently high over the past several months, supporting strong HF propagation. After a brief dip in late 2025, both metrics rebounded, and current values are excellent for upper HF bands.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• HF bands: Expect continued good to excellent conditions on 20m–10m during the day; 80m and 40m remain best at night.
• Geomagnetic outlook: K-index likely to remain below 4, supporting stable propagation, but monitor for sudden changes.
• DX: High solar flux favors transcontinental and intercontinental DX, especially on 15m, 12m, and 10m.
• Alerts: No major warnings, but stay alert for sudden X-ray flares or geomagnetic spikes that could cause short-term disruptions.