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 stable geomagnetic conditions (K-index at 2) and a solar flux of 121. Operators can expect good performance on 20m throughout the day and night, while lower bands (80m/40m) will be more reliable after sunset. Higher bands (15m/12m/10m) are only fair during daylight and likely to close at night. No major space weather disturbances are present, so expect predictable band openings and relatively low noise. For best results, focus on mid-bands and nighttime low-band operation.

💡 Operator Tips

• Use 20m for reliable daytime and evening DX, as it offers the best all-around conditions.
• 80m and 40m will be your go-to bands for local and regional contacts at night.
• For higher bands (15m/12m/10m), operate during local midday for the best chance at openings—these bands may close quickly after sunset.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) will help you make contacts even when SSB/CW conditions are marginal.
• Keep antennas resonant and low-noise—use bandpass filters if operating multi-band.
• If chasing DX, check grayline times and focus on east-west paths around sunrise/sunset.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning for both local and DX.
• 20m: Good all day and into the evening—prime for DX and ragchews.
• 17m/15m: Fair during late morning to afternoon; check for short-lived DX windows.
• 12m/10m: Try late morning to early afternoon; expect rapid fade after sunset.
• Grayline: Target sunrise/sunset for enhanced long-path DX, especially on 40m/20m.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline propagation is favorable on 40m and 20m—watch for enhanced signals to antipodal regions at local dawn/dusk.
• 20m offers the best shot at intercontinental DX, especially toward Europe and South America.
• 15m/12m/10m may open briefly to equatorial and southern latitudes during midday—monitor beacons and cluster spots.
• No major auroral activity, so polar paths remain open but not enhanced.
• Watch for sporadic-E on 10m, but expect mostly F-layer propagation.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis: The 20m band is the most consistent performer, with good conditions all day and night. 80m and 40m improve after sunset, making them ideal for night operations. 17m and 15m are fair but may yield surprises during solar peaks or short-term enhancements. 12m and 10m are only fair during the day and likely closed at night, so check these bands midday for any fleeting openings.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 — Low geomagnetic activity, which means stable HF conditions and low absorption.
• Solar Flux: 121 — Moderate, supporting decent F-layer propagation but not enough for robust high-band openings.
• Sunspot Number: 116 — Healthy, but slightly down from recent months, keeping 20m strong and 15m/10m marginal.
• Space Weather: No major flares or storms; X-ray flux at C1.4 is elevated but not disruptive.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained mostly between 1 and 3 over the past 24 hours, with a brief dip to 0.33 and no significant spikes.
• This trend indicates quiet to unsettled geomagnetic conditions, ideal for HF propagation.
• No geomagnetic storms are present or expected, so absorption and auroral effects are minimal.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.4 — Slightly elevated, but not at blackout levels. HF blackouts are unlikely.
• Solar Wind: 420 km/s — Typical speed, not high enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux at 2490 and proton flux at 10 — Both are in normal ranges, so no increased D-layer absorption or polar cap absorption events.
• Aurora Activity: 3 — Low; auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is not expected.
• Helium Line: 117.3 — Indicates moderate solar activity; no sharp upward trends, so expect steady conditions.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent months show a declining trend in both solar flux and sunspot numbers (from ~160 to ~121 for solar flux, and from 124 to 78 for sunspots).
• This gradual decrease means higher bands are less likely to open, but 20m and below remain reliable.
• No major solar events have disrupted the trend, so expect continued moderate conditions.

🔮 3-Day Forecast