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 quiet geomagnetic conditions. With a solar flux around 138 and sunspot numbers in the mid-90s, expect good openings on 20m and fair conditions on 40m and 17m. The higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) are mostly poor, so focus on the lower bands for reliable contacts. Geomagnetic activity is low (K=0-1), meaning stable propagation with minimal disruptions. Operators should prioritize 20m during the day and 40m/80m at night for the best results.
💡 Operator Tips
- Daytime: Concentrate on 20m for DX and reliable regional contacts; use digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) to maximize weak signal performance, especially on higher bands.
- Nighttime: Shift to 40m and 80m for strong regional and intercontinental paths.
- Antennas: Use resonant antennas for your target bands; verticals and dipoles will perform well under current conditions.
- Contesting/DX: Focus on grayline periods for enhanced long-distance opportunities, especially on 20m and 40m.
- VHF/UHF: Aurora is low; expect normal conditions—monitor for sporadic-E but don’t expect major openings.
⏰ Best Operating Times
- 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning for regional and some DX.
- 20m: Best from late morning through afternoon; possible evening DX.
- 17m/15m: Fair during midday; check for short-lived openings.
- 12m/10m: Poor most of the day; only attempt during peak solar hours or if you hear activity.
- Grayline: Sunrise and sunset on 40m/20m for enhanced long-path DX.
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Grayline paths on 40m and 20m are your best bet for intercontinental DX.
- 20m offers the most consistent daytime DX, especially east-west.
- 17m/15m may open briefly for north-south paths—watch for spot reports.
- No significant aurora or polar path enhancement; VHF aurora scatter unlikely.
- Monitor cluster spots for surprise openings, especially on 15m.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 40m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 17m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 15m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 12m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
Analysis:
- 20m is the most reliable band throughout the day and into the evening, supporting both regional and DX contacts.
- 40m and 80m are best at night and early morning, with fair daytime performance.
- 17m and 15m offer only fair conditions—check for brief midday or afternoon openings.
- 12m and 10m are mostly closed; only attempt if you notice unexpected activity or strong solar bursts.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 1 (very quiet) – Indicates stable geomagnetic conditions, minimal fading or absorption.
- Solar Flux: 138 (moderate) – Supports good propagation on 20m, marginal on higher bands.
- Sunspot Number: 94 – Moderate; enough for decent HF propagation but not enough to reliably open 10m/12m.
- Space Weather: No major disturbances; X-ray flux at C4.1 (moderate flare activity, but not enough for widespread HF blackouts).
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained low (0-1) over the past 24 hours, indicating very stable geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent spikes or geomagnetic storms; expect continued quiet conditions for the next day or two.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: C4.1 – Moderate solar flare activity; unlikely to cause HF blackouts, but keep an ear out for sudden shortwave fadeouts.
- Solar Wind: 462 km/s – Slightly elevated but not enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux at 967, proton flux at 16 – No significant impact on HF propagation.
- Aurora: 3 – Low auroral activity; VHF/UHF aurora propagation is not expected.
- Helium Line: 107.4 – Indicates moderate solar activity; no major trend changes.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Recent months show solar flux fluctuating between 120 and 150, with a slight upward trend in June.
- Sunspot numbers have dipped from the winter peak but remain moderate, supporting decent HF conditions.
- No major solar events or geomagnetic storms in the past month, keeping propagation stable.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Expect continued quiet geomagnetic conditions (K-index 0-2).
- Solar flux likely to remain in the 130–140 range, supporting good 20m and fair 17m/15m propagation.
- Best bands: 20m (all day), 40m/80m (night/early morning).
- Worst bands: 12m/10m (mostly closed).
- No alerts or warnings; operate as normal and enjoy stable HF conditions!