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 with a solar flux of 120 and sunspot numbers around 79. Expect good conditions on 20m throughout the day and night, while 40m and 80m will perform best after sunset. Higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) offer only fair daytime openings and are mostly poor or closed at night. Geomagnetic activity is low (K-index at 2), so noise and absorption are minimal, favoring stable propagation. For best results, focus on the lower bands at night and 20m during the day for reliable contacts.

💡 Operator Tips

• Target 20m for all-day DX: This band is consistently good and supports both local and long-distance contacts.
• Evening/Night: Use 40m & 80m for regional and intercontinental QSOs; these bands improve as the sun sets.
• Daytime: Try 15m, 12m, 10m for short, sporadic DX—watch for brief openings, especially around local noon.
• Modes: Use CW and digital modes (FT8, FT4) on higher bands for better reach during fair conditions.
• Antennas: Vertical or directional antennas will help exploit fleeting high-band openings.
• Contesters & DXers: Focus efforts on 20m and 40m for the most consistent results; monitor 10m for any surprise E-skip or F2 openings.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning (local sunset to sunrise)
• 20m: Good all day and night; peak performance mid-morning to late afternoon
• 17m & 15m: Fair during daylight hours, especially late morning to early afternoon
• 12m & 10m: Fair only during midday; mostly poor or closed at night

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m band: Worldwide DX possible nearly 24 hours, with best long-haul paths during grayline (dawn/dusk).
• 40m/80m: Transcontinental and intercontinental DX favored during local night and grayline.
• 10m/12m: Short-lived DX possible during peak solar hours; check for E-skip, especially in late morning and early afternoon.
• Grayline: Enhanced propagation on 40m and 20m at local sunrise/sunset—plan DX skeds accordingly.
• Aurora: Low activity (Aurora index 2); minimal auroral propagation for VHF/UHF.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

20m is the standout performer, offering reliable propagation all day and night. 40m and 80m are best at night and during grayline, while 15m and 17m provide fair daytime options. 10m and 12m may open briefly during midday but are generally poor at night. For maximum contacts, prioritize 20m and the lower bands after dark.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (Low geomagnetic activity)—expect stable HF conditions with minimal absorption or noise.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 120 (Moderate)—supports good propagation on 20m and some higher bands during the day.
• Sunspot Number: 79—indicates moderate solar activity, enough for decent F-layer ionization but not peak-cycle conditions.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions.
• No significant geomagnetic storms or disturbances; expect minimal fading and good signal stability.
• These quiet conditions favor long-haul DX and low noise on all HF bands.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B7.8—no significant solar flares; no risk of HF blackouts.
• Solar Wind Speed: 530 km/s—slightly elevated, but not enough to trigger major geomagnetic activity.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux (1830) and proton flux (10) are within normal ranges; no significant impact on HF propagation.
• Aurora Activity: Index 2—very low; auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is unlikely.
• Helium Line: 109.4—suggests moderate solar activity with no major upswings or drops.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent months show a downward trend in solar flux (from 160 in December to 120 now) and a decline in sunspot numbers (from 124 to 79).
• This gradual decrease means high-band openings are less frequent, but 20m and lower bands remain reliable.
• No major solar events or flares have been recorded recently, supporting stable propagation.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued moderate solar activity with solar flux and sunspot numbers holding steady.
• Geomagnetic conditions likely to remain quiet (K-index low), so no major disruptions anticipated.
• 20m will remain the best all-around band; watch for brief 10m/12m openings during midday.
• No alerts or warnings at this time—enjoy stable conditions and plan for evening/night operations on 40m/80m for best results.