Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary: HF propagation today is shaped by moderate solar activity and very quiet geomagnetic conditions. With a solar flux of 96 and sunspot numbers at 11, the higher bands (12m, 10m) are mostly underperforming, while the lower and mid bands (80m–20m) offer the best reliability. K-index is at 1 (very quiet), so expect stable conditions with minimal disruptions from geomagnetic storms. Operators should focus on the 20m and 40m bands for daytime DX and reliable regional contacts, while 80m and 40m will shine after sunset. Keep an eye on grayline times for enhanced DX, especially on 20m.
💡 Operator Tips:
- Daytime: Prioritize 20m for DX and 40m for regional work.
- Evenings/Night: Shift to 40m and 80m for best results; expect quieter noise and better signals.
- Modes: Use FT8 and CW for marginal band openings, especially on 17m–15m. SSB will be most effective on 20m and 40m.
- Antennas: Vertical and directional antennas will help maximize low-angle DX, especially on 20m.
- Contesting/DX: Focus on 20m for international contacts and 40m for intercontinental grayline paths.
- VHF/UHF: No significant aurora or Es openings expected; stick to local FM and repeaters.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Time (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00–08:00 | Excellent at night, low noise |
| 40m | 18:00–10:00 | Good all night, fair daytime |
| 20m | 10:00–20:00 | Best for daytime DX |
| 17m | 12:00–18:00 | Fair, try digital modes |
| 15m | 12:00–16:00 | Marginal, mostly digital/CW |
| 12m | 14:00–16:00 | Poor, check for sporadic openings |
| 10m | 14:00–16:00 | Poor, unlikely to open |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Grayline enhancement: 40m and 20m bands will see improved DX at local sunrise/sunset.
- 20m band: Best for transcontinental and intercontinental DX during the day.
- 40m band: Look for long-path openings at dawn and dusk.
- No major special propagation events: No aurora or major solar events expected; standard F-layer propagation dominates.
- Low solar flux: Limits high-band DX, but check 15m for occasional short openings, especially to equatorial regions.
📻 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 |
- Best bands today: 20m is the most reliable for DX and general contacts throughout the day. 40m and 80m are best at night for regional and some DX, with 40m also providing fair daytime coverage.
- Marginal bands: 17m and 15m may support short openings, mainly for digital modes.
- Worst bands: 12m and 10m are mostly closed due to low solar flux; check only for rare sporadic-E or local contacts.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 1 (very quiet) – Minimal geomagnetic disturbance, stable HF conditions.
- Solar Flux (10.7cm): 96 – Below average, limiting high-band propagation.
- Sunspot Number: 11 – Very low, correlates with reduced MUF and fewer band openings.
- Space Weather Overview: No significant solar flares or disturbances; X-ray activity is low (B3.9).
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained steady at 0–1 over the past 24 hours, indicating very quiet geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent geomagnetic storms or disturbances; conditions are stable and favorable for HF, especially on lower bands.
- Expect continued low noise and minimal fading on all bands.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B3.9 (low) – No HF blackouts or sudden ionospheric disturbances expected.
- Solar Wind: 395.5 km/s – Typical speed, not likely to trigger geomagnetic activity.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux at 2220 (moderate), proton flux at 9 (quiet); no significant impact on propagation.
- Aurora Activity: 2 (very low) – No auroral propagation expected; VHF/UHF conditions remain normal.
- Helium Line: 109.1 – Indicates stable solar activity; no major changes expected.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the past several months, solar flux and sunspot numbers have gradually declined from spring peaks (solar flux >130, sunspots >100) to current lower values (solar flux ~116, sunspots ~76).
- This trend means MUFs are lower, especially impacting 15m and above.
- Expect continued favorability for 20m and lower bands, with high bands only opening during rare events.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Solar and geomagnetic activity are expected to remain low and stable for the next three days.
- HF propagation will continue to favor 20m, 40m, and 80m, with little improvement for 15m and higher.
- No alerts or warnings are in effect; operators can plan for consistent, reliable conditions on the lower and mid bands.
- Watch for grayline openings on 40m and 20m for best DX opportunities.
- VHF/UHF: No significant enhancements or aurora expected—focus on local and repeater activity.