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. The solar flux is on the lower side at 101, with a sunspot number of 55, resulting in average to below-average high-band performance. Low K-index (1) means the bands are stable, with minimal geomagnetic disturbance. Expect good conditions on 20m throughout the day and night, while higher bands (12m/10m) will be challenging. Operators should focus on the lower and mid bands for reliable contacts, with some DX possible on 20m and 17m during daylight hours.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 20m and 40m for both local and DX contacts; these bands are most reliable today.
• Use digital modes (FT8, PSK31) on higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) to maximize weak-signal opportunities.
• Monitor grayline times for enhanced DX, especially on 40m and 20m.
• Keep antennas optimized for lower bands (80m/40m) during nighttime for best results.
• Minimal geomagnetic disturbance means stable propagation—take advantage of this for longer ragchews or contesting.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning; fair during the day.
• 20m: Good all day and night—prime for DX and reliable local QSOs.
• 17m/15m: Fair throughout the day; try late morning to early afternoon for best results.
• 12m/10m: Poor conditions; only attempt during local noon or with digital modes.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m band offers the best chance for DX, especially along the grayline and during daylight.
• 17m/15m may open for short periods to equatorial and southern latitudes.
• Grayline enhancement on 40m and 20m can provide short windows for long-haul DX at sunrise and sunset.
• Aurora activity is low, so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• 20m is the most consistent performer, offering good conditions all day and night.
• 40m and 80m are good at night and fair during the day—ideal for local and regional QSOs after dark.
• 17m and 15m are fair all day; try these for short-haul DX or digital modes.
• 12m and 10m are poor and likely closed for most operators; only worth checking during peak solar hours or with digital modes.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 1 (very quiet geomagnetic field; minimal disturbances, stable HF propagation)
• Solar Flux: 101 (moderate; supports mid-band openings, but higher bands are weak)
• Sunspot Number: 55 (moderate; enough for 20m/17m, but not enough for strong high-band openings)
• Space Weather Overview:
  • No major flares or storms reported.
  • X-ray flux at C1.3 (minor, but worth monitoring for sudden changes).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable and low, with no significant spikes in the past 24 hours.
• Impacts:
  • Quiet geomagnetic conditions favor stable propagation, especially on low and mid bands.
  • No expected auroral or polar path disruptions.
  • Good time for polar and trans-equatorial paths.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.3 (minor; little risk of HF blackouts, but keep an eye on sudden increases)
• Solar Wind: 389.3 km/s (moderate; not likely to cause geomagnetic storms)
• Particle Environment:
  • Electron flux: 3460 (elevated, but not extreme; may cause minor absorption at times)
  • Proton flux: 17 (quiet; no proton event concerns)
• Aurora Activity: 2 (very low; VHF/UHF auroral propagation not expected)
• Helium Line: 111.6 (stable; no major solar trend shifts detected)

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent solar flux and sunspot trends:
  • Solar flux has declined from 138 in June to 116 in August, now at 101—explaining weaker high-band conditions.
  • Sunspot numbers have also trended downward from 101 in May to 76 in August.
  • These trends suggest we are in a quiet phase of the solar cycle, so expect continued emphasis on 20m and below.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation is expected to remain stable with quiet geomagnetic conditions and moderate solar activity.
• 20m and 40m will continue to be the most reliable bands for both local and DX contacts.
• No major space weather events or alerts are forecasted; operators can plan for steady conditions.
• Keep an eye on solar flux and K-index for any sudden changes, especially if planning long-haul DX or contesting.
• VHF/UHF: No auroral or sporadic-E activity expected; focus on HF for the best results.