Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation today is moderate, with low solar flux (97) and a very quiet geomagnetic field (K=1). Expect good conditions on 20m, while higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) will be challenging, especially for long-haul DX. Nighttime favors the lower bands, with 80m and 40m performing best after sunset. No major space weather disturbances are present, so local and regional contacts should be reliable. For DX, focus on grayline periods and the 20m band during daylight.

💡 Operator Tips

• Use 20m for daytime DX—it offers the most consistent openings.
• 80m and 40m are your go-to bands for nighttime and early morning QSOs.
• Digital modes (FT8, PSK31) will outperform SSB/CW on marginal bands like 17m and 15m.
• Keep antennas low-noise and well-matched; weak-signal work will be key, especially on higher bands.
• For contesters: focus efforts on 20m during the day and 40m at night for best rates.
• Monitor grayline for short DX windows, especially on 40m and 20m.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning (local sunrise/sunset).
• 20m: Best from late morning through early evening.
• 17m/15m: Limited openings, mainly midday.
• 12m/10m: Mostly closed; try during local noon if at all.
• Grayline (dawn/dusk): Enhanced propagation on 40m and 20m for DX.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m: Most reliable for intercontinental paths, especially E-W routes.
• 40m: Excellent for long-haul DX during grayline and night.
• Grayline: Watch for brief DX openings on 40m and 20m at local sunrise/sunset.
• Aurora: Minimal; VHF/UHF auroral propagation not expected.
• Special events: No major solar events or alerts—steady but subdued DX conditions.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

• Best bands: 20m (all day), 40m/80m (evening/night)
• Marginal bands: 17m, 15m (midday, mostly short-haul)
• Poor/closed: 12m, 10m (skip these unless there’s a surprise opening)

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 1 (very quiet geomagnetic field)—excellent for HF, minimal absorption or auroral effects.
• Solar Flux: 97 (low)—limits higher band openings, favors lower bands.
• Sunspots: 11 (very low)—reduced ionization, especially for 15m and above.
• Space Weather: No significant flares or storms; X-ray activity is low (B2.3).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable and low (mostly 0–1 over the last 24 hours).
• Impact: Quiet geomagnetic conditions mean low absorption and stable propagation, especially on polar and high-latitude paths.
• No geomagnetic storms detected; expect minimal fading or auroral disruption.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B2.3—very low, so no risk of HF blackouts or sudden ionospheric disturbances.
• Solar Wind Speed: 495 km/s—slightly elevated but not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux (1880) and proton flux (15) are both low; no significant impact on HF.
• Aurora: 1—very quiet; VHF/UHF auroral propagation is not expected.
• Helium Line: 108.4—no significant solar activity trend; stable conditions.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Historical solar flux: Trending downward over the past few months (from ~138 in June to 116 in August, now 97).
• Sunspot numbers: Also declining (from ~101 in May to 76 now).
• Implication: We are in a quieter solar phase—expect lower MUF, with best propagation on lower bands.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation outlook: Stable, with continued low solar activity and quiet geomagnetic field.
• Best bands: 20m (day), 40m/80m (night); 17m/15m may open briefly midday.
• No alerts or warnings: No expected solar storms or geomagnetic disturbances.
• Advice: Focus on lower bands for reliable contacts; use digital modes to maximize weak-signal performance. Monitor for any surprise openings on 15m and above, especially during local noon.