Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation is currently challenging, with most higher bands (20m–10m) experiencing poor conditions due to moderate solar flux (SFI ~126) and a low sunspot number (101). The K-index is very low (quiet geomagnetic field), so noise is minimal, but the ionosphere is not well energized for high-band DX. 80m and 40m are your best bets, especially at night, where conditions improve to good. Expect limited daytime DX, with the best opportunities on lower bands and during local evening and night hours. Operators should focus on lower frequencies for reliable contacts and watch for brief grayline enhancements.

💡 Operator Tips:

• Prioritize 80m and 40m for both local and regional contacts, especially after sunset.
• Use digital modes (FT8, JT65) for improved weak-signal performance, especially on higher bands.
• For DX, target grayline periods (sunrise/sunset) on 40m and 80m.
• Keep antennas optimized for lower bands; consider verticals or dipoles for 40m/80m.
• Monitor solar and geomagnetic updates for any sudden changes, but expect stable conditions today.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Evening through early morning (best after sunset, through the night, and before sunrise)
• 20m: Limited—try late morning and early evening, but expect poor results
• 17m–10m: Generally poor all day; brief openings possible around local noon, but unlikely
• Grayline (dawn/dusk): Best chance for DX on 40m and 80m

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline propagation is your friend—focus on 40m and 80m at sunrise/sunset for transcontinental paths.
• East-west paths may open briefly on 20m during local evening, but expect weak signals.
• No significant aurora or polar openings expected; VHF/UHF auroral propagation is not likely.
• Watch for sporadic-E on 10m/6m, but current data suggests low probability.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• 80m and 40m are the standout performers, especially at night and during the evening—expect strong regional and some DX signals.
• 20m may offer fair conditions in the morning and evening, but is mostly unreliable for DX.
• 17m–10m are generally closed or poor throughout the day and night; only attempt these bands if you hear activity or during contest events.
• For daytime operation, stick to 40m for best results; higher bands are not recommended.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 0–1 (very quiet) – Geomagnetic field is calm, so noise is low and propagation is stable.
• Solar Flux (SFI): 125.7 – Indicates moderate solar activity, not enough to fully open higher HF bands.
• Sunspot Number: 101 – On the low side, which limits ionospheric ionization and high-band propagation.
• Space Weather Overview:
  • No major flares or disturbances reported.
  • X-ray flux is at B5.6 (low), so no risk of radio blackouts.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable and very low (0–1) over the past 24 hours.
• Impact: The geomagnetic field is quiet, which is good for low-band propagation and keeps noise levels down. No recent storms or disturbances detected, so conditions are stable and predictable.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B5.6 – Low level, so no HF blackouts or sudden ionospheric disturbances expected.
• Solar Wind: 445 km/s – Slightly elevated, but not enough to cause geomagnetic issues.
• Particle Environment:
  • Electron flux: 1890 – Normal, so no significant absorption or D-layer effects.
  • Proton flux: 45 – Low, no polar cap absorption events.
• Aurora Activity: 1 – Very low; auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected.
• Helium Line: 118.3 – Moderate, indicating stable solar output with no major upswings.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent solar flux and sunspot trends:
  • Solar flux has declined from ~160 in December 2025 to ~126 in May/June 2026.
  • Sunspot numbers have also dropped from 124 to 101 over the same period.
  • This downward trend means high bands are less likely to open, and overall HF propagation is less robust than earlier in the cycle.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation is expected to remain stable with quiet geomagnetic conditions and no major solar events forecast.
• 80m and 40m will continue to be the most reliable bands, especially at night.
• 20m and above will likely stay poor, but monitor for any surprise openings during local noon or grayline.
• No alerts or warnings at this time; continue to check for updates if solar activity increases.