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 moderate solar activity and very quiet geomagnetic conditions. With a solar flux of 101 and sunspot number at 54, expect good conditions on the lower bands (80m–20m) and fair to poor performance on higher bands (17m–10m). The K-index is at 0, meaning geomagnetic activity is extremely low, which is great for stable HF paths, especially for DX. Operators should focus efforts on the lower bands for reliable contacts, while higher bands may be challenging except for short-range or sporadic openings.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 80m, 40m, and 20m for both local and DX contacts—these bands are performing best today.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) will help you dig out weak signals, especially on the higher bands where conditions are fair to poor.
• For DX, work the grayline on 40m and 20m; low K-index means low absorption and less fading.
• Contesters: Focus on lower bands for rate; check 17m/15m for possible short openings, especially midday.
• Antenna tuning: Make sure your antennas for 80m–20m are optimized; higher bands may not justify retuning today.
• VHF/UHF: No significant aurora or E-skip expected—stick to routine local work.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Excellent all night, good during the day—perfect for late-night and early-morning ragchews or DX.
• 20m: Good sunrise to sunset, especially around local noon.
• 17m/15m: Fair midday, best chance for short-haul or sporadic DX.
• 12m/10m: Poor all day—unlikely to support much beyond local groundwave.
• Grayline: 40m and 20m are your best bets for long-haul DX at dawn and dusk.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline propagation is strong on 40m and 20m—target sunrise/sunset for transcontinental paths.
• East-West paths (Europe <-> Americas, Asia <-> Europe) are favored on 20m during daylight.
• South-North DX is possible on 40m at night due to low geomagnetic activity.
• Special events: No major solar events or aurora expected, so stable conditions for planned DXpeditions and contests.
• Watch for short 17m/15m openings midday, especially to equatorial and low-latitude regions.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

80m, 40m, and 20m are consistently good throughout the day and night—these are your best bands for both local and DX work. 17m and 15m are only fair, so expect some activity but with weaker signals and shorter openings. 12m and 10m are poor and likely closed for long-haul propagation—check only for local or sporadic E-skip.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 0 (very quiet) — minimal geomagnetic disturbance, excellent for stable HF propagation.
• Solar Flux: 101 (moderate) — supports good propagation on lower bands, but not enough for reliable high-band openings.
• Sunspot Number: 54 — moderate, indicating some solar activity but not enough for strong high-band enhancement.
• Space Weather Overview: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray flux at B3.3 (quiet), solar wind speed at 362 km/s (calm), and aurora level at 2 (low).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• K-index has remained at or near 0 for the past 24 hours, indicating very stable geomagnetic conditions.
• No recent spikes or disturbances—conditions are stable and favorable for HF, especially for transpolar and high-latitude paths.
• Expect low absorption and minimal fading, especially on the lower bands.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B3.3 (quiet)—no risk of HF blackouts or sudden ionospheric disturbances.
• Solar Wind: 362 km/s (calm)—low risk of geomagnetic storms or aurora.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 2080, proton flux at 9—both within normal ranges, so no unusual absorption or noise.
• Aurora Activity: Level 2—very low, so no auroral propagation expected on VHF/UHF.
• Helium Line: 111.7—stable, indicating no significant solar changes or upcoming flare activity.
• Practical Impact: Expect quiet bands, low noise, and stable propagation—ideal for weak-signal and DX work.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Over the past several months, solar flux and sunspot numbers have trended downward from spring highs (solar flux ~138, SSN ~101) to current moderate levels (solar flux ~101, SSN ~54).
• This gradual decrease means high bands (12m/10m) are less likely to open, while lower bands remain reliable.
• No major solar events or geomagnetic storms have disrupted conditions recently.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Stable conditions expected: K-index likely to remain low, with solar flux and sunspot numbers holding steady.
• Best bands: 80m, 40m, and 20m will continue to offer the best propagation for both local and DX.
• High bands (17m–10m): Remain fair to poor unless a surprise solar uptick occurs.
• No alerts or warnings: No geomagnetic storms, aurora, or solar flares expected.
• Action: Plan your operating around the lower bands and take advantage of the quiet geomagnetic field for long-haul and weak-signal work.