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 shaped by low solar activity and very quiet geomagnetic conditions. The solar flux is modest at 96, and the K-index is at 0–1, indicating a very stable ionosphere with minimal disturbances. Expect good conditions on 20m and lower bands, while higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) will be challenging except for short, sporadic openings. Operators should focus on lower frequencies for reliable contacts, especially during nighttime. No major space weather disruptions are expected, making this a great day for casual operating and regional nets.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 20m, 40m, and 80m for most reliable contacts; 20m is your best bet for daytime DX.
• Digital modes (FT8, PSK31) will outperform SSB/CW on marginal bands like 17m and 15m.
• Check 10m/12m for brief openings around local noon, but expect mostly poor conditions.
• Use NVIS antennas for local/regional work on 80m/40m, especially at night.
• With low geomagnetic activity, north-south paths may be slightly more stable than east-west.
• Contesters and DXers: Focus on grayline periods for best long-haul propagation.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning for regional and some DX.
• 20m: Good all day, especially late morning to early evening for DX.
• 17m & 15m: Fair during midday; check for short openings.
• 12m & 10m: Mostly poor, but try around local noon for possible brief enhancement.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline: Maximize DX on 40m and 20m during sunrise and sunset—watch for enhanced paths to antipodal regions.
• 20m: Remains the most consistent for intercontinental DX, especially to equatorial and southern hemisphere stations.
• 80m/40m: Nighttime paths into distant continents are possible with low noise and stable geomagnetic conditions.
• No major aurora or polar openings expected; VHF DX is unlikely outside of local tropo.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

20m is the standout band for reliable daytime and evening contacts, including some DX. 40m and 80m shine at night for regional and some long-haul paths. 17m and 15m may offer occasional fair conditions around midday, but expect limited openings. 12m and 10m are largely closed except for rare, brief enhancements—monitor but don’t rely on them.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 0–1 — Very quiet geomagnetic field, ideal for stable HF propagation.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 96 — Below average, limiting higher band openings but supporting 20m and below.
• Sunspot Number: 11 (current), 76 (monthly) — Low sunspot activity, reducing ionization for upper HF.
• Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray activity is low (B3.9), indicating minimal risk of HF blackouts.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained very low and stable (0–1) over the past 24 hours, with no significant geomagnetic disturbances.
• This trend supports quiet nighttime conditions and minimizes absorption, especially on lower bands.
• No signs of increasing geomagnetic activity, so expect continued stability.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B3.9 (low) — No risk of D-layer absorption or radio blackouts.
• Solar Wind: 395.5 km/s — Typical background speed; not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux 2220, Proton flux 9 — Both are low, so no significant impact on HF propagation.
• Aurora: 2 — Very low; auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected.
• Helium Line: 109.1 — Indicates stable, low solar activity; no major changes anticipated.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Over the past 6 months, solar flux has declined from 138 to 116, and sunspot numbers have dropped from ~100 to 76.
• This downward trend means fewer high-band openings and more reliance on 20m and lower for reliable contacts.
• The current quiet geomagnetic field is a bright spot, supporting clean signals and low noise on all bands.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Solar and geomagnetic activity are forecast to remain low and stable.
• Expect continued good conditions on 20m, 40m, and 80m; 17m/15m may see brief midday enhancements.
• No major space weather alerts or warnings are in effect.
• Operators should monitor for any sudden changes, but the outlook favors steady, reliable HF operation for the next several days.