Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary: Today’s HF propagation is looking moderately favorable for most amateur operators, thanks to a solar flux of 147 and a sunspot number of 141. The K-index is low at 2, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions and generally stable bands. Expect good openings on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and evening, while higher bands (12m, 10m) may be more variable, especially at night. Lower bands (80m, 40m) will work best after sunset. For DXers, now is a good time to take advantage of stable conditions before any geomagnetic disturbances roll in.

💡 Operator Tips

• Target 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable daytime and evening contacts, including DX.
• 80m and 40m are your best bets for night-time regional and intercontinental QSOs.
• Use FT8, CW, or other weak-signal modes on higher bands (12m, 10m) to maximize chances during fair conditions.
• Monitor grayline times for enhanced DX on 40m and 20m.
• Keep an ear out for short-lived band openings, especially on 10m and 12m during local midday.
• Contesters: Focus efforts on 20m–15m during daylight and early evening for the highest rates.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best after local sunset through early morning.
• 20m/17m/15m: Best from late morning through sunset; still good into the evening.
• 12m/10m: Best around local noon to late afternoon; limited at night.
• Grayline (dawn/dusk): Enhanced long-haul DX on 40m and 20m.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m and 17m: Consistent worldwide DX paths, especially east-west.
• 15m: Good for intercontinental DX during daylight, especially to equatorial and southern latitudes.
• 10m/12m: Watch for sporadic E and short skip openings midday; possible brief DX to South America, Africa, or Asia.
• Grayline: Excellent for transcontinental and polar path DX on 40m and 20m.
• Aurora: Low activity, so VHF auroral propagation is unlikely today.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

The 20m, 17m, and 15m bands are performing best today, offering good propagation from morning through night. 80m and 40m are fair during the day but improve significantly after sunset, making them ideal for night-time and early morning operation. 12m and 10m are only fair during daylight hours and likely to close at night—use digital modes for best results.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (quiet) — Minimal geomagnetic disturbance, stable HF conditions.
• Solar Flux: 147 (moderately high) — Supports good MUF for 20m–15m.
• Sunspot Number: 141 (elevated) — Indicates plenty of ionization for HF propagation.
• Space Weather: No major flares or disturbances reported; X-ray flux at C1.0 (minor).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable and low over the past 24 hours, with no significant spikes. This means geomagnetic conditions have been quiet and are expected to remain favorable for HF propagation.
• No geomagnetic storms detected; operators can expect minimal fading and good signal stability.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.0 — Minor solar flare activity, no risk of HF blackouts.
• Solar Wind Speed: 430.6 km/s — Slightly elevated but not enough to cause geomagnetic issues.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 2060 and proton flux at 441 — Both are within normal ranges; no significant impact on propagation.
• Aurora Activity: 1 — Very low; no auroral propagation expected on VHF/UHF.
• Helium Line: 124.3 — Indicates stable solar activity with no major upswings.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

Recent months show a gradual decline in both solar flux and sunspot numbers since late 2025, but values have rebounded slightly in May 2026. This supports today’s moderate-to-good HF propagation, especially on the higher bands.

Solar flux and sunspot numbers have fluctuated but remain at levels that support reliable 20m–15m operation, with occasional boosts to 10m/12m during peak solar days.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Next 3 days: Expect continued quiet geomagnetic conditions and similar solar activity. 20m–15m will remain the most reliable for DX and general QSOs. Watch for potential short-lived improvements on 10m/12m if solar flux rises. No major space weather alerts or warnings are in effect. Keep an eye on real-time K-index and solar flux for any sudden changes.