Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary: Today’s HF propagation is shaped by moderate solar activity and very quiet geomagnetic conditions. With a solar flux of 148 and a sunspot number of 157, the higher bands (20m–15m) are open and performing well, especially during daylight hours. The K-index is at 0, indicating stable, low-noise geomagnetic conditions—great news for all operators. Expect good opportunities for DX on the higher bands during the day, while lower bands like 80m and 40m will shine at night. Watch for some variability on 12m and 10m, which may open briefly during peak solar hours.
💡 Operator Tips:
- Focus on 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable daytime DX and ragchewing.
- Try digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) on 12m and 10m to take advantage of brief openings.
- For local and regional contacts, use 40m and 80m after sunset—these bands will be quieter and more stable at night.
- With the K-index at 0, expect very little geomagnetic noise—take advantage for weak signal work and contesting.
- Monitor the grayline for enhanced long-path DX, especially on 40m and 20m.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Times (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00–07:00 | Best at night, low noise |
| 40m | 19:00–09:00 | Excellent night/morning, fair daytime |
| 20m | 08:00–20:00 | Strong all day, some night openings |
| 17m | 09:00–18:00 | Daytime DX, closes after sunset |
| 15m | 10:00–18:00 | Good daytime DX, check for short openings |
| 12m | 11:00–16:00 | Short, fair daytime windows |
| 10m | 12:00–15:00 | Brief, fair openings possible |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- 20m and 17m: Best for intercontinental DX during daylight, especially along the grayline.
- 15m: Good for trans-equatorial and east-west paths during midday.
- 10m/12m: Watch for sporadic E and short F-layer openings around local noon.
- Grayline: Enhanced propagation on 40m and 20m at sunrise and sunset—target antipodal DX.
- Aurora: Minimal impact today (aurora index 1), so polar paths are open and stable.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 40m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 17m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 15m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 12m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
- Best bands: 20m, 17m, and 15m are consistently good throughout the day and into the evening, supporting both DX and regional contacts.
- Nighttime: 80m and 40m improve significantly after dark, ideal for local and regional nets.
- 12m and 10m: Only fair during midday, with poor conditions at night—check for brief openings but expect limited activity.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 0 — Very quiet geomagnetic field, minimal noise, best for weak-signal and DX work.
- Solar Flux (10.7cm): 148 — Moderate to high, supporting good F-layer propagation on higher bands.
- Sunspot Number: 157 — Above average, indicating active solar regions and enhanced ionization.
- Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances reported; X-ray flux at C1.1 (minor, but worth monitoring for sudden enhancements).
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained at or near 0 for the past 24 hours, indicating extremely stable geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent geomagnetic storms or disturbances—conditions are stable and quiet, maximizing HF band reliability.
- Expect continued low noise and high signal-to-noise ratios, especially on the low bands.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: C1.1 — Minor X-ray activity, no risk of HF blackouts, but keep an eye on sudden increases.
- Solar Wind: 427.6 km/s — Slightly elevated but not enough to disturb propagation; no major impacts expected.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux at 2600, proton flux at 1060 — Both within normal ranges, minimal impact on HF.
- Aurora Activity: Index 1 — Very low, so polar and high-latitude paths remain open and stable.
- Helium Line (124.0)_: Indicates steady solar activity, with no sharp upward or downward trend.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the past 6 months, solar flux has decreased from a high of 160 to the current 125–148 range, while sunspot numbers have fluctuated but remain above 100.
- This trend supports reliable daytime openings on 20m–15m, with occasional short-lived boosts on 12m and 10m.
- No recent major solar events—propagation quality has been stable with only gradual changes.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- HF conditions are expected to remain stable with continued low geomagnetic activity (K-index forecast to stay low).
- 20m–15m will continue to be the best bands for DX and general operation.
- 10m and 12m may see brief, fair openings during peak solar hours—monitor for sporadic E.
- No alerts or warnings at this time; enjoy the quiet bands and take advantage of the good conditions for weak-signal and DX work!