Amateur Radio Propagation Report

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 around 111 and sunspot numbers in the mid-40s, expect solid performance on 20m and lower bands, while higher bands like 12m and 10m will be challenging. The K-index is at 1, indicating very stable geomagnetic conditions, which helps reduce noise and fading. Operators should focus on daytime activity on 20m and 17m, and nighttime on 40m and 80m for the best results. No major solar flares or geomagnetic storms are expected, so conditions should remain steady for the next 24 hours.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 20m and 40m for reliable contacts, especially for DX and ragchewing.
• Use digital modes (FT8, PSK31) on higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) to take advantage of marginal openings.
• Vertical antennas and low-noise receive setups will help maximize weak-signal work, especially on 80m and 40m.
• For DX, target grayline periods (sunrise/sunset) on 40m and 20m.
• Monitor the bands for short-lived openings, especially on 15m and above.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Evening and night for local/regional and some DX
• 20m: Late morning through early evening for worldwide DX
• 17m/15m: Midday for intercontinental and north-south paths
• 12m/10m: Limited openings possible around local noon, mostly for short/medium skip

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline enhancement: Watch for improved long-path and trans-equatorial DX on 40m and 20m during sunrise/sunset.
• 20m is the go-to band for DX today, with good potential for Europe, Africa, and South America.
• 17m/15m may open to southern latitudes and equatorial regions during midday.
• 10m/12m: Sporadic E is unlikely; focus on digital modes for any fleeting openings.
• No significant aurora or polar path enhancement expected.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• 80m/40m: Best after sunset and through the night; good for local and regional nets, and some DX during grayline.
• 20m: Most reliable band for DX throughout the day and into the evening.
• 17m/15m: Marginal, but check midday for possible short/medium skip and north-south DX.
• 12m/10m: Largely closed; only brief, weak openings possible, mainly for digital modes.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 1 (very quiet) – minimal geomagnetic disturbance, low noise levels.
• Solar Flux: 111 (moderate) – supports good propagation on 20m and below, marginal on higher bands.
• Sunspot Number: 64 (current N0NBH) – enough for decent HF activity, but not enough for consistent 10m/12m openings.
• Space Weather: No significant solar flares or disturbances reported; X-ray flux is at A0.0 (very quiet).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained very low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating excellent geomagnetic quiet.
• No recent spikes or disturbances; conditions are ideal for HF with reduced fading and noise.
• Expect continued stability unless a sudden solar wind increase occurs.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: A0.0 (very low) – No risk of HF blackouts; stable D-layer absorption.
• Solar Wind: 375 km/s – Typical, not high enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment:
  • Electron Flux: 2080 – Slightly elevated; may cause minor polar absorption, but not significant for most users.
  • Proton Flux: 12 – Quiet, no radiation storm risk.
• Aurora Activity: 3 – Low; auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected.
• Helium Line: 114.1 – Indicates steady, moderate solar activity; no major trend changes.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent months show a gradual decline in both solar flux and sunspot numbers since mid-2026, which has led to less frequent high-band openings.
• The last 6 months:
  • Solar Flux dropped from ~138 in June to ~108 now.
  • Sunspot Numbers fell from ~93 to ~45.
• This trend suggests lower MUF (maximum usable frequency), so focus on lower bands for reliable contacts.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued quiet geomagnetic conditions and stable solar activity.
• 20m and 40m will remain the best bets for reliable operation.
• 10m/12m will likely stay closed except for rare, short-lived openings.
• No major space weather alerts or warnings in effect.
• Keep an eye on solar wind and K-index for any sudden changes, but no major disruptions are forecast.