Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary:
HF propagation today is moderately challenging, with solar flux at 94 and a sunspot number of 48, both on the lower side compared to recent months. Expect good conditions on 20m throughout the day and night, while higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) are mostly poor. Geomagnetic activity is slightly elevated (K-index 3, A-index 22), which may cause some absorption and fading, especially on polar and high-latitude paths. Operators should focus on the lower bands for reliable contacts and watch for short-lived DX openings on 17m and 15m.
💡 Operator Tips
- Prioritize 20m for daytime and evening DX—this band is the most reliable today.
- 80m and 40m will be your best bet after dark, especially for regional and NVIS work.
- Use digital modes (FT8, PSK31) to maximize weak signal contacts, especially on higher bands.
- Monitor grayline times for enhanced propagation, especially on 40m and 20m.
- If chasing DX, check 17m and 15m for brief openings, especially during local afternoon.
- Portable and low-power stations: Stick to 20m and 40m for best results.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Times (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 20:00–07:00 | Nighttime, regional/NVIS, some DX |
| 40m | 18:00–08:00 | Night/early morning, good for DX |
| 20m | 09:00–22:00 | All day, best for DX |
| 17m | 13:00–18:00 | Early/mid afternoon, short DX windows |
| 15m | 14:00–17:00 | Brief afternoon openings possible |
| 12m | 15:00–17:00 | Unlikely, but check for sporadic E |
| 10m | 15:00–17:00 | Mostly closed, rare E-skip possible |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Grayline enhancement: 40m and 20m will offer the best long-path DX around sunrise and sunset.
- 20m: Remains open for intercontinental paths most of the day; check for Pacific and South American openings.
- 17m/15m: Watch for short DX windows during local afternoon, especially to equatorial regions.
- Aurora: Low auroral activity (Aurora index 1), so VHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
- Special events: No major solar flares or geomagnetic storms forecasted, so conditions should remain stable.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good |
| 40m | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 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 |
Analysis:
- 20m is the most reliable band for both local and DX contacts throughout the day and night.
- 40m and 80m improve after sunset, offering good regional and some DX opportunities overnight.
- 17m and 15m may support some short DX paths, especially in the afternoon, but expect only fair conditions.
- 12m and 10m are mostly closed due to low solar flux and sunspot numbers; check sporadically for rare openings.
- Best bands today: 20m (all day), 40m/80m (night).
- Challenging bands: 12m, 10m (mostly closed).
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 3 (slightly elevated) – indicates minor geomagnetic instability, may cause some fading and absorption, especially at higher latitudes.
- Solar Flux (10.7cm): 94 – lower than recent months, limiting higher band openings.
- Sunspot Number: 48 – modest, supporting only moderate HF propagation.
- Space Weather Overview:
- No major solar flares or storms reported.
- X-ray flux at B3.8 (quiet to low activity).
- Aurora index is low (1), so no auroral propagation expected.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has been fluctuating around 3 over the past 24 hours, indicating mildly unsettled geomagnetic conditions.
- No significant geomagnetic storms, but conditions are not completely quiet—expect some QSB (fading) and possible absorption, especially on polar paths.
- Trend is stable to slightly improving; no major disturbances expected in the immediate future.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B3.8 (low)—no risk of HF blackouts, but keep an eye on sudden increases.
- Solar Wind: 570 km/s—elevated, which can enhance geomagnetic activity and cause minor absorption, especially at high latitudes.
- Particle Environment:
- Electron Flux: 2320—moderately high, may cause minor disturbances on HF, especially at night.
- Proton Flux: 13—quiet, no radiation storm risk.
- Aurora Activity: 1—very low, so auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is unlikely.
- Helium Line: 103.0—indicates moderate solar activity, but not enough to boost higher bands significantly.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Recent Solar Flux Trend: Solar flux has decreased from a high of ~160 in December to the current value of 94, reflecting a downturn in solar activity.
- Sunspot Number Trend: After peaking above 120 last year, sunspot numbers have dropped to the current 48, contributing to weaker HF propagation, especially on higher bands.
- Long-term: If this trend continues, expect generally lower MUFs and more reliance on lower HF bands for reliable contacts.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Propagation is expected to remain similar over the next 3 days, with no major solar or geomagnetic events forecasted.
- 20m will continue to be the most reliable band for both DX and local work.
- 40m and 80m will offer good nighttime options.
- Higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) will remain challenging unless there is a surprise uptick in solar activity.
- No alerts or warnings at this time—continue to monitor for updates, especially if chasing rare DX or contesting.