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 shaped by moderate solar activity and a K-index holding steady at 3, indicating mildly unsettled geomagnetic conditions. The solar flux is at 127, with a sunspot number of 71—both slightly lower than previous months, but still supportive of decent daytime propagation on the higher bands. Expect good conditions on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and evening, while 12m and 10m may be less reliable except during peak daylight. Lower bands (80m, 40m) will be challenging by day but improve after sunset. Operators should take advantage of the best daytime windows on the higher HF bands and monitor for any geomagnetic upticks.

💡 Operator Tips

• Focus on 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable DX and regional contacts, especially during daylight and early evening.
• Use digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) for weak signal work, particularly on 12m and 10m where conditions are only fair.
• For low bands (80m, 40m), operate during local nighttime for better results—expect daytime absorption.
• Keep an eye on the K-index; if it rises above 4, expect increased absorption and possible blackouts on polar paths.
• Vertical antennas and directional beams will help maximize DX opportunities, especially on the higher bands.
• If contesting, prioritize 20m and 15m during the day, and 40m after dark.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best after sunset and through the night (local time)
• 20m, 17m, 15m: Excellent from mid-morning through early evening
• 12m & 10m: Try late morning to mid-afternoon for sporadic openings
• Grayline (dawn/dusk): Enhanced long-path DX, especially on 40m and 20m

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m and 17m are open for intercontinental DX, especially along east-west paths during local afternoon and evening.
• Grayline propagation is favorable on 40m and 20m—watch for enhanced signals at sunrise and sunset.
• 12m and 10m may offer short-lived DX openings during peak solar hours, especially toward equatorial regions.
• Auroral activity is low, so VHF/UHF aurora propagation is unlikely, but northern operators should still monitor for sudden increases.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:
The 20m, 17m, and 15m bands are the most reliable throughout the day and evening, offering consistent contacts for both DX and regional work. 80m and 40m are best used at night, with poor daytime performance due to D-layer absorption. 12m and 10m are marginal—watch for brief daytime openings, but expect limited activity, especially after sunset.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 3 (mildly unsettled, some absorption on polar paths but generally manageable for HF)
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 127 (moderate, supports good propagation on 20m–15m, but less so on 12m/10m)
• Sunspot Number: 71 (lower than recent months, but still enough for decent daytime F-layer propagation)
• Space Weather Overview: No major flares or storms; X-ray flux at B5.4 (quiet to low-level activity).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

The K-index has trended from unsettled (4–4.67) down to a more stable 2–3 over the past 24 hours. This indicates that geomagnetic conditions have improved recently, with less absorption and fewer disturbances than earlier in the week. Operators should still monitor for sudden changes, but overall, the geomagnetic field is currently stable enough for reliable HF operation.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B5.4 (quiet; no significant risk of HF blackouts)
• Solar Wind: 490 km/s (moderate; may contribute to minor geomagnetic fluctuations, but not severe)
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 2210 (elevated, but not extreme; minor impact on polar/auroral paths)
• Aurora Activity: 3 (low; unlikely to affect HF, but VHF aurora is not expected)
• Helium Line: 122.2 (stable; no sign of major solar upswings or flare threats)

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

Recent months show a downward trend in solar flux and sunspot numbers from late 2025 into early 2026, with current values below the recent peak. This means high bands (12m/10m) are less likely to open reliably, but mid-high bands (20m/17m/15m) remain productive.

🔮 3-Day Forecast