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 quiet geomagnetic field. The solar flux is at 117–120, and the sunspot number is 59–79, both on the lower side compared to recent months. Expect good conditions on 20m, with fair propagation on 17m and 15m. The higher bands (12m, 10m) are mostly poor today, while 80m and 40m are poor during the day but improve to fair at night. Operators should focus on the 20m band for reliable DX and use digital modes to maximize contacts as propagation is less robust than earlier this year.

💡 Operator Tips

• Target 20m for the most consistent HF contacts, especially during daylight and early evening.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) will outperform SSB/CW on marginal bands like 17m and 15m.
• Low bands (80m/40m) are best after sunset; use them for regional and short-haul DX at night.
• Monitor grayline times for enhanced propagation, especially on 20m and 40m.
• Keep an eye on solar wind and K-index—if geomagnetic activity rises, expect rapid changes.
• For VHF/UHF, no significant auroral or E-skip openings are expected today.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best after local sunset through the night; avoid daytime operation.
• 20m: Good from late morning through early evening; remains open into the night for some paths.
• 17m/15m: Fair midday through afternoon; less reliable but worth checking.
• 12m/10m: Generally poor; check for brief openings around local noon, especially during solar upticks.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m is your main DX band today—look for openings to Europe and South America during daylight, and Asia/Pacific in the evening.
• Grayline enhancement: Watch sunrise/sunset for brief DX windows, especially on 40m and 20m.
• Higher bands (12m/10m) are mostly closed, but check for sporadic E or surprise openings around noon.
• No major special propagation events or alerts; conditions are stable but not exceptional.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• 20m is the standout performer—good all day and into the night for both local and DX contacts.
• 17m and 15m offer fair conditions; check these bands midday for possible short/medium-haul DX.
• 80m/40m are poor during the day but improve to fair at night—ideal for local and regional QSOs after sunset.
• 12m/10m are poor or closed—not recommended unless you spot a sudden opening.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 3 (quiet to unsettled)—low geomagnetic disturbance, good for HF but keep watch for sudden changes.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 117–120—moderate, lower than recent months, so expect less robust high-band openings.
• Sunspot Number: 59–79—moderate, but on a downward trend, which reduces ionospheric support for higher bands.
• Space Weather Overview: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray flux is at B6.3 (quiet).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has been stable and low (around 3) over the past 24 hours, indicating a quiet geomagnetic field.
• No recent spikes or storms—this supports stable HF propagation, especially on the lower bands.
• If you notice a sudden K-index rise, expect increased noise and possible HF blackouts, especially on polar paths.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B6.3 (low)—no risk of HF blackouts from solar flares.
• Solar Wind Speed: 402.8 km/s—moderate, not high enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Electron Flux: 2030—elevated but not extreme; may cause minor absorption on polar paths.
• Proton Flux: 21—normal, no radiation storm risk.
• Aurora Level: 4—low; auroral propagation is not expected on HF or VHF.
• Helium Line: 110.4—in the normal range, indicating stable solar activity.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent months show a declining trend in both solar flux and sunspot numbers (from 160+ down to 120 and 79, respectively).
• This trend means less support for high-band (12m/10m) propagation, but 20m remains reliable.
• No major solar events or geomagnetic storms in the recent past.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Solar and geomagnetic conditions are expected to remain stable over the next three days.
• 20m will continue to be the best band for reliable contacts.
• 17m/15m may offer occasional fair openings, especially around midday.
• 80m/40m will be best at night; daytime use will remain limited.
• 12m/10m are likely to stay poor unless a solar uptick occurs.
• No alerts or warnings—enjoy steady, if not spectacular, springtime propagation!