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 of 3, indicating unsettled geomagnetic conditions. Solar flux is at 135 and sunspot numbers are moderate, supporting decent daytime propagation on the higher bands. Expect good conditions on 20m, 17m, and 15m during both day and night, while 12m and 10m are only fair during the day and poor at night. 80m and 40m bands are performing poorly during the day but improve to fair at night. Operators should watch for short-term geomagnetic disturbances, but overall, there are solid opportunities for both local and DX contacts, especially on the mid/high HF bands.

💡 Operator Tips

• Focus on 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable contacts throughout the day and night.
• 12m and 10m may open during peak daylight, especially for north-south paths; check for sporadic E or F2 openings.
• 80m and 40m are best used at night for regional and some DX work; expect daytime absorption.
• Use digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) to maximize weak signal performance, especially on marginal bands.
• For DX, monitor grayline times and be ready to switch bands quickly as conditions change.
• Vertical antennas and beams will help on higher bands; consider low noise receive antennas on 80m/40m at night.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best at night (sunset to sunrise)
• 20m/17m/15m: Good all day and night, peak performance during daylight and early evening
• 12m/10m: Try late morning to mid-afternoon for possible openings; night conditions are poor

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m, 17m, and 15m are open for intercontinental DX, especially along east-west paths.
• Grayline propagation will enhance long-haul DX around local sunrise and sunset on 40m and 20m.
• 12m and 10m may support short, sporadic DX openings during daylight, especially on north-south paths.
• Watch for auroral activity at higher latitudes, which could briefly enhance VHF/UHF but may cause HF absorption.
• No major solar flare or blackout warnings, but keep an ear out for sudden band changes.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:
The 20m, 17m, and 15m bands are the most reliable for both day and night operations, offering the best balance for DX and regional contacts. 12m and 10m may open for short periods during daylight, so check these bands for possible surprises. 80m and 40m are best reserved for nighttime use, as daytime D-layer absorption is significant. For contesters and DXers, focus efforts on 20m-15m for the most consistent results.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 3 — Indicates unsettled geomagnetic conditions; minor disturbances possible, especially at higher latitudes.
• Solar Flux: 135 — Moderate level, supporting decent propagation on 20m-15m; 10m/12m may be marginal.
• Sunspot Number: 76 — Moderate, enough to keep higher bands active but not at peak performance.
• Space Weather Overview: No major flares or blackouts reported; X-ray flux is at B5.4 (quiet to low).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has fluctuated between 1 and 4.67 over the past 48 hours, with several unsettled to active periods.
• The most recent trend shows a return to moderate (K=3), indicating conditions are improving slightly but remain variable.
• Expect some short-term absorption or fading, especially at higher latitudes, but no major storms currently.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B5.4 — Low, so risk of sudden HF blackouts is minimal.
• Solar Wind: 478.8 km/s — Slightly elevated, which can contribute to minor geomagnetic disturbances.
• Electron Flux: 2760 — Elevated, may cause minor polar absorption or auroral effects at high latitudes.
• Proton Flux: 34 — Quiet, no significant impact on HF.
• Aurora Level: 2 — Low, but northern operators may see brief VHF/UHF auroral propagation.
• Helium Line: 122.5 — Indicates stable to slightly declining solar activity trend.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent solar flux and sunspot data show a gradual decline since late 2025, but levels remain supportive for HF.
• Sunspot numbers have dropped from over 120 to the high 70s, which explains the slightly weaker 10m/12m conditions.
• Solar flux has similarly decreased from 160+ to the current 135 range.

🔮 3-Day Forecast