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 a moderate solar flux of 104 and a sunspot number of 86, both slightly below recent months' averages. Expect good conditions on 20m throughout the day and night, with fair performance on 40m and 80m—especially strong at night. Higher bands (12m, 10m) are mostly poor due to lower solar activity, while geomagnetic conditions remain quiet (K-index 2), supporting stable propagation. For daily operations, focus on the 20m band for reliable DX, and take advantage of improved low-band conditions after sunset. No major space weather alerts are in effect, so routine HF activities should proceed smoothly.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 20m for daytime and evening DX—expect the most consistent results here.
• Nighttime operations: 40m and 80m will be your best bets, especially for regional and intercontinental contacts.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) can help you make contacts on marginal bands like 17m and 15m.
• Monitor 10m/12m for sporadic-E or short-lived openings, but don't expect reliable propagation.
• Contesters: Focus on 20m for rate, and switch to 40m/80m as night falls.
• Portable/low-power ops: Use 20m during the day and 40m at night for the best SNR.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best after local sunset and through the night; fair during the day for local/regional QSOs.
• 20m: Excellent all day and into the evening; remains open after dark for many paths.
• 17m & 15m: Fair during daylight hours, especially mid-morning to late afternoon.
• 12m & 10m: Poor most of the day; check around midday for any brief openings.
• Grayline: Sunrise and sunset on 40m/80m for enhanced DX.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m band: Offers the best shot at long-haul DX, especially on east-west paths and during grayline.
• Grayline enhancement: Watch for strong signals on 40m and 80m at local sunrise/sunset—great for transcontinental QSOs.
• Northern latitudes: Aurora activity is low (Aurora index 1), so polar paths are open and stable.
• No major solar events: No HF blackouts or auroral disturbances expected, so DXpeditions and contests can proceed without space weather disruptions.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

• 20m is the top performer for both local and DX contacts—open nearly 24 hours.
• 40m and 80m are best at night and during grayline, with fair daytime performance for regional work.
• 17m and 15m offer some daylight activity, but expect only fair conditions.
• 12m and 10m are largely closed; only brief, weak openings possible.
• For VHF/UHF, no enhanced propagation is expected.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (quiet geomagnetic field)—supports stable HF propagation, minimal auroral disruption.
• Solar Flux: 104 (moderate)—lower than recent months, leading to weaker high-band openings.
• Sunspot Number: 86 (moderate)—sufficient for 20m/17m, but not enough for robust 10m/12m activity.
• Space Weather Overview: No major flares or proton events; X-ray flux at B5.9 (quiet).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable and low (K=2), with no significant spikes in the past 24 hours.
• Impact: Quiet geomagnetic conditions mean low absorption and minimal disturbance, favoring reliable HF propagation—especially on polar and high-latitude paths.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B5.9 (low)—no risk of HF blackouts or sudden ionospheric disturbances.
• Solar Wind Speed: 538 km/s (moderately elevated)—slightly above average, but not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 1990 (moderate), proton flux at 284 (quiet)—no significant impact on HF propagation.
• Aurora Activity: Index 1 (very low)—northern operators will not see enhanced auroral propagation; VHF/UHF paths remain normal.
• Helium Line: 108.9—indicates stable solar activity; no major changes expected.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Historical Solar Flux/Sunspot Trends: Solar flux and sunspot numbers have gradually declined since late 2025, from peaks near 160 (Dec 2025) to current values around 104–120. This trend explains the recent reduction in high-band (15m/12m/10m) openings and more reliable performance on lower bands.

• Context: The current solar cycle is in a declining phase, so expect generally better conditions on 20m and below, with high bands opening less frequently.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation Outlook: Expect similar conditions for the next 3 days—quiet geomagnetic field, moderate solar flux, and no major solar storms.
• Best Bands: 20m for all-day DX; 40m and 80m for nighttime and grayline.
• Worst Bands: 12m and 10m will remain mostly closed.
• Operator Advice: Continue to focus on 20m for DX, monitor 40m/80m at night, and use digital modes to maximize contacts on marginal bands. No alerts or warnings are in effect—enjoy stable HF conditions!