Amateur Radio Propagation Report

Sun Images for Past 72 Hours

Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project

📋 Propagation Summary

Today’s HF propagation is looking moderately favorable for most amateur radio operators. With a solar flux around 133–154 and a sunspot number near 129–107, daytime conditions on the higher bands (20m–15m) are good, while the lower bands (80m–40m) are fair during the day and good at night. The K-index is currently low (K=2), indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions and minimal disturbance to HF propagation. Expect fair to good openings on 20m–15m for DX, with 10m and 12m more variable. Nighttime favors 40m and 80m for regional and some DX contacts. No major space weather alerts are active, so it’s a great day to get on the air!

💡 Operator Tips

• For DX: Focus on 20m, 17m, and 15m during local daylight hours for the best long-haul contacts.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4, RTTY) will help pull through marginal openings, especially on 12m and 10m.
• CW and SSB will work well on 40m, 20m, and 17m—try SSB on 15m during peak solar hours.
• Contesters: Take advantage of the low K-index for stable propagation, especially on 20m and 15m.
• Use grayline times (sunrise/sunset) for enhanced DX, especially on 40m and 80m.
• Keep an eye on real-time solar data for any sudden changes, but no warnings are active right now.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning for both local and some DX.
• 20m: Opens mid-morning, peaks midday, and remains good into early evening.
• 17m & 15m: Best from late morning through late afternoon.
• 12m & 10m: Try late morning to early afternoon; conditions are variable but possible openings.
• Grayline: Sunrise/sunset on 40m and 80m for enhanced long-path DX.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m, 17m, and 15m are open for intercontinental DX, especially along east-west paths.
• Grayline propagation is strong on 40m and 80m—look for rare DX at your local sunrise and sunset.
• 10m and 12m: Watch for sporadic E or short-lived F2 openings, especially during peak solar hours.
• Northern latitudes: Aurora activity is low, so polar paths are open and stable.
• No major solar events or blackouts expected—enjoy stable DX conditions!

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

The best bands for reliable contacts today are 20m, 17m, and 15m during daylight hours, with excellent propagation expected. 40m and 80m shine at night, offering strong regional and some DX paths. 12m and 10m may open for short periods, especially late morning to early afternoon, but expect only fair conditions and be ready to switch bands if they close.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index (Geomagnetic Activity): Currently 2 (quiet)—means stable HF propagation, minimal auroral disturbance.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 133–154—supports good F-layer propagation on 20m–15m, with some potential for 10m/12m.
• Sunspot Number: 107–129—healthy for HF, especially higher bands.
• Space Weather Overview: No major flares or proton events; X-ray flux at B8.9 (quiet), so no HF blackouts expected.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

The K-index has trended downward over the past 48 hours, dropping from a peak of 6 (minor storm) to a steady 1–2. This improvement means geomagnetic conditions are now quiet and stable, favoring long-haul DX and minimizing signal absorption, especially on polar and trans-equatorial paths.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B8.9 (low)—no risk of sudden HF blackouts.
• Solar Wind Speed: 485 km/s—moderate, but not high enough to cause geomagnetic storms.
• Particle Environment:
  • Electron Flux: 2550 (elevated, but not extreme)—can cause minor noise on some bands.
  • Proton Flux: 35 (quiet)—no radiation storm risk.
• Aurora Activity: 1 (very low)—northern operators will not see auroral propagation, but polar paths are open and stable.
• Helium Line: 134.9—shows steady solar activity, no sudden increases indicating flare risk.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

The past several months have shown solar flux and sunspot numbers holding steady in the 130–160 and 120–140 ranges, respectively. After a brief dip in May/June, both metrics have rebounded, supporting the current good HF conditions. No major solar events or storms are present in the recent trend.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued quiet geomagnetic conditions (K-index 1–2), supporting stable HF propagation.
• Solar flux and sunspot numbers are forecast to remain steady, so 20m–15m will continue to perform well.
• 10m/12m: Watch for short, sporadic openings—be ready to pounce when the bands open.
• No alerts or warnings are active—enjoy the bands and take advantage of the stable space weather!