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 solid for most amateur operators, with solar flux holding at 152 and a healthy sunspot number of 125. The K-index is at 2, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions, so expect generally stable propagation with minimal disruptions. Daytime operation will favor the higher bands (20m–10m), while nighttime brings improved conditions to the lower bands (80m/40m). There’s no major geomagnetic storm or solar flare threat at the moment, so you can plan for reliable contacts, especially on the higher bands. Take advantage of these conditions for both DX and regional work!

💡 Operator Tips

• Daytime: Focus on 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m for DX and intercontinental contacts. These bands are in good shape.
• Nighttime: Switch to 80m and 40m for regional and domestic QSOs as these bands open up.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) will perform well on all bands, especially when SSB/CW is marginal.
• Use directional antennas for best DX results, especially during grayline periods.
• Keep an eye on real-time K-index and solar wind updates for any sudden changes.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning for local/regional QSOs.
• 20m: Good all day, with extended openings into the evening.
• 17m, 15m: Excellent from late morning through afternoon.
• 12m, 10m: Peak during midday and early afternoon; check for short-skip and sporadic E.
• Grayline (sunrise/sunset): Enhanced long-path DX, especially on 40m, 20m, and 17m.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m–10m: Expect solid DX paths, especially during daylight hours. Watch for openings to Europe, Africa, and South America.
• Grayline: Enhanced propagation along the sunrise/sunset terminator—try for long-haul contacts on 40m and 20m.
• No major aurora or polar cap absorption events—high-latitude paths are open.
• Special Events: No significant solar events forecast, so plan for stable contest/DX operation.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• Best daytime bands: 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m are all in good shape, with 20m–15m offering the most consistent performance throughout the day and evening.
• Nighttime: 80m and 40m improve, making them your go-to bands for local and regional work after sunset.
• 12m and 10m: Good during daylight, but close down at night—check for short-lived E-skip openings.
• No bands are fully closed, but 80m/40m are poor in the daytime, and 12m/10m are poor at night.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (quiet geomagnetic conditions)—expect stable HF propagation, minimal absorption or aurora.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 152 (strong solar energy)—supports good openings on higher bands (20m–10m).
• Sunspot Number: 125 (active, but not extreme)—favors enhanced MUF (Maximum Usable Frequency) and better DX.
• Space Weather Overview: No major solar flares or proton events; X-ray flux at C1.2 is moderate and not causing blackouts.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: The past 24 hours show mostly quiet to unsettled conditions (K=1–3.7), with only brief periods of slightly elevated activity.
• Current trend: The K-index has settled back to 2, indicating a return to quiet geomagnetic conditions.
• Impact: No significant HF blackouts or auroral absorption expected; polar and high-latitude paths are open.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.2—moderate X-ray flux, not enough to cause radio blackouts, but keep an eye out for any sudden increases.
• Solar Wind: 444.5 km/s—moderate speed; not high enough to trigger geomagnetic storms, but may cause minor disturbances.
• Particle Environment:
  • Electron Flux: 2750—elevated, but not at storm levels; may cause minor noise on HF.
  • Proton Flux: 30—quiet, no risk of polar cap absorption.
• Aurora Activity: 1—very low, so auroral propagation on VHF/UHF is unlikely.
• Helium Line: 123.3—stable, indicating no major solar trend changes.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent solar flux and sunspot trend:
  • Solar flux has ranged from 135–160 over the past 6 months, with a slight dip in February but currently rebounding.
  • Sunspot numbers have fluctuated, peaking last fall and trending lower into early 2026, but remain at healthy levels for good HF propagation.

• Context: These trends support continued good conditions on the higher HF bands, with no signs of a major solar minimum or disruptive event.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Propagation outlook: Expect continued good conditions on 20m–10m, especially during daylight hours. No major geomagnetic storms or solar events are forecast.
• K-index is expected to remain low, so plan for stable HF operation.
• Best bands: 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m during the day; 80m and 40m at night.
• No alerts or warnings—enjoy the bands and work some DX!