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 96 and a sunspot number of 62. The K-index is very low (0-1), indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions—great news for HF stability and low noise. Expect good conditions on 20m and below, while higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) will be challenging, especially during the day. Operators should focus on the lower bands for reliable contacts, with the best opportunities during local night and early morning hours.
💡 Operator Tips
- Prioritize 20m, 40m, and 80m for both local and DX contacts—these bands are currently the most reliable.
- Digital modes (FT8, PSK31) will outperform SSB/CW on higher bands (15m, 12m, 10m) due to weak propagation.
- For DX, operate during grayline (sunrise/sunset) on 40m and 20m.
- Vertical antennas or dipoles at modest heights will work well on 40m/20m; use low-noise receive antennas for 80m.
- Monitor solar and geomagnetic updates for sudden changes, but expect stable conditions today.
⏰ Best Operating Times
- 80m/40m: Excellent at night and early morning; fair during the day.
- 20m: Good all day and night; best for daytime DX.
- 17m/15m: Fair throughout the day; try late morning to early afternoon for possible openings.
- 12m/10m: Poor—brief, weak openings possible around local noon, but generally unreliable.
- Grayline periods (dawn/dusk) enhance long-distance paths, especially on 40m and 20m.
🌍 DX Opportunities
- Best DX paths: 20m and 40m during local sunrise/sunset (grayline), especially for east-west long-haul contacts.
- Northern hemisphere: 80m and 40m are open for transcontinental and some transatlantic DX at night.
- Southern hemisphere: Similar patterns, with 20m offering mid-day DX.
- No significant aurora—no enhanced VHF/UHF propagation expected.
- Watch for sporadic-E on 10m/6m, but chances are low with current solar numbers.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent |
| 40m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent |
| 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:
- 80m and 40m shine at night and early morning—ideal for both local and DX work.
- 20m is the most consistent band, offering good conditions throughout the day and night, perfect for daytime DX.
- 17m and 15m are marginal; try digital modes for best results.
- 12m and 10m are mostly closed or poor; only attempt during peak solar hours with low expectations.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 0-1 (very quiet)—minimal geomagnetic disturbance, low noise for HF.
- Solar Flux: 96 (moderate)—supports 20m and below, but not enough for regular 10m/12m openings.
- Sunspot Number: 62—moderate, indicating some solar activity but not peak conditions.
- Space Weather Overview: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray flux is at B3.2 (low), so no HF blackouts expected.
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained very low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent geomagnetic storms or disturbances—expect stable propagation and low atmospheric noise.
- These conditions favor low-band operation and long-haul DX, especially at night.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B3.2 (low)—no risk of sudden HF blackouts or D-layer absorption events.
- Solar Wind: 455.5 km/s—moderate, not high enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
- Particle Environment:
- Electron flux: 1410 (moderate)—no significant impact on HF propagation.
- Proton flux: 24 (quiet)—no polar cap absorption events.
- Aurora Activity: 1 (very low)—no auroral propagation on VHF/UHF.
- Helium Line: 107.0—stable, indicating no major solar events on the horizon.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the past several months, solar flux has fluctuated between 120 and 138, with a recent dip to 96. This trend shows a decline from earlier peaks, leading to weaker high-band conditions.
- Sunspot numbers have also decreased from over 100 to the current 62-78 range, further reducing upper HF band openings.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Stable geomagnetic conditions expected to continue, with low K-index values.
- HF propagation will remain best on 20m and below; little improvement expected for 12m/10m.
- No major solar events or warnings—enjoy the quiet bands!
- For best results, operate during night and grayline on 40m/80m, and daytime on 20m.
- Monitor for any sudden solar changes, but overall, expect a steady propagation environment for the next few days.