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 moderately favorable, with solar flux at 128 and a sunspot number of 113, supporting decent daytime activity on the higher bands. Geomagnetic conditions are mostly stable, with a K-index of 3 and only minor disturbances, but the elevated A-index (23) and recent solar wind uptick may cause some fading, especially at higher latitudes. Expect good conditions on 20m, 17m, and 15m during daylight, while 80m and 40m will perform better at night. 12m and 10m are open but only fair, with limited DX potential. Operators should watch for short-lived openings and take advantage of grayline propagation for best results.

💡 Operator Tips

• Target 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable daytime DX and regional contacts.
• Monitor 12m and 10m for brief openings, especially during local afternoon and around grayline.
• 80m and 40m are best used after sunset and before sunrise for NVIS and regional work.
• Use digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) to maximize weak signal contacts on marginal bands.
• Verticals and directional antennas will help on higher bands; for low bands, use full-size dipoles or loops.
• If chasing DX, focus on east-west paths during local sunrise/sunset and check for grayline enhancements.
• Logbook tip: Note periods of rapid fading (QSB) and increased noise, as these may correspond to geomagnetic fluctuations.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best after sunset through early morning (nighttime)
• 20m, 17m, 15m: Best from late morning through late afternoon (daylight hours)
• 12m & 10m: Try mid-day and early afternoon, especially during solar peak or grayline
• Grayline: Check all bands at local sunrise/sunset for enhanced long-path DX

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline openings: Enhanced propagation on 40m–20m at sunrise/sunset—watch for transcontinental paths.
• 20m, 17m, 15m: Good for intercontinental DX, especially to equatorial and mid-latitude regions.
• 10m & 12m: Occasional short-skip and sporadic-E possible, but mostly fair/poor—monitor for surprise openings.
• Aurora: Low activity (Aurora index 2), so auroral propagation is unlikely; VHF/UHF aurora scatter not expected.
• Special event: No major solar flares or alerts, but keep an ear out for sudden band changes if geomagnetic activity increases.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

The 20m, 17m, and 15m bands are the most reliable throughout the day and into the evening, making them the top choices for both DX and regional contacts. 80m and 40m are currently poor during the day but improve to fair/good at night, ideal for local and regional work after sunset. 12m and 10m are only fair during daylight and likely closed at night, so check these bands for brief openings but don't expect consistent long-haul DX.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 3 (moderate geomagnetic activity) – some QSB and minor absorption possible, especially at higher latitudes.
• Solar Flux: 128 (10.7cm) – supports good propagation on 20m–15m, marginal on 12m/10m.
• Sunspot Number: 113 – healthy for HF, but slightly lower than recent peaks.
• Space Weather: No major flares; X-ray flux at B7.9 (quiet to low), so no HF blackouts expected.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has been mostly stable around 3 over the past 24 hours, indicating moderate geomagnetic activity.
• No significant geomagnetic storms; conditions are neither worsening nor improving dramatically.
• Minor disturbances may cause brief signal fading (QSB) and increased noise, but overall HF is usable.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B7.9 (low) – No risk of sudden HF blackouts; stable for most operations.
• Solar Wind: 586.6 km/s – Elevated, which can stir up minor geomagnetic activity and cause some fading, especially at high latitudes.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux 11,000, Proton flux 2,380 – Slightly elevated; may cause minor polar absorption, but not severe.
• Aurora Activity: 2 (low) – Aurora not expected to impact HF or VHF propagation.
• Helium Line: 120.1 – Indicates moderate solar activity, consistent with current solar flux and sunspot trends.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent months show a gradual decrease in solar flux and sunspot numbers from late 2025 peaks (solar flux ~160, SSN ~133) to current values (solar flux ~130, SSN ~86).
• This trend suggests slightly less robust high-band openings compared to the previous solar maximum, but conditions remain favorable for most HF activity.

• Solar flux and sunspot numbers have declined from their late 2025 highs but remain strong enough for good HF propagation.
• Operators should expect continued moderate conditions, with best results on 20m–15m and occasional 10m/12m openings.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation expected to remain stable with no major solar or geomagnetic disturbances forecast.
• 20m, 17m, 15m will continue to be the most reliable bands for DX and regional work.
• 80m and 40m will improve at night; daytime use will remain limited.
• 10m and 12m may open briefly during local noon and grayline but will mostly be fair to poor.
• No alerts or warnings at this time; monitor for updates if solar wind or geomagnetic indices increase.