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 and very quiet geomagnetic conditions. The solar flux is at 111 and the sunspot number is 70, both slightly below recent months but still supportive of decent HF operation. Expect good conditions on 80m–20m throughout the day and night, while higher bands (17m–10m) will be more challenging, with 12m and 10m mostly poor or closed. With the K-index at 0, noise and absorption are minimal, making this an excellent day for lower band DX and reliable regional contacts. Operators should focus on the lower and mid bands for best results and keep an eye out for brief high-band openings.

💡 Operator Tips

• Prioritize 80m, 40m, and 20m for both local and DX contacts; these bands are performing well day and night.
• Try digital modes (FT8, PSK31, RTTY) on 17m and 15m, as these can eke out contacts even when SSB/CW is tough.
• Use low-noise antennas and check for grayline enhancements at sunrise/sunset for long-haul DX.
• Monitor 10m and 12m for sporadic E or surprise openings, especially during local afternoon.
• Contesters: Focus on 40m and 20m for rate; check 15m for short openings.
• Portable ops: Take advantage of low K-index for low-noise operation, especially on 80m/40m.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m & 40m: All night and early morning for DX; evenings for regional nets.
• 20m: Late morning through early evening for worldwide DX; grayline for best long-path.
• 17m & 15m: Midday to early afternoon for possible short/medium-haul DX.
• 12m & 10m: Local noon to mid-afternoon for any chance of openings; mostly poor.
• Grayline: Sunrise/sunset on all bands for enhanced long-distance propagation.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline paths: Take advantage of sunrise/sunset on 40m and 20m for transcontinental DX.
• 20m: Remains the most reliable for intercontinental paths, especially east-west.
• 17m/15m: Watch for short-lived DX windows, especially to equatorial and southern latitudes.
• 80m/40m: Excellent for polar and long-path DX during local night, especially with low geomagnetic activity.
• Aurora: Minimal today, so polar paths are open.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis: 80m, 40m, and 20m are the best performers today, offering reliable contacts at all hours. 17m and 15m may provide some midday activity, especially for digital modes, but expect weaker signals and shorter skip. 12m and 10m are mostly closed due to low solar flux and sunspot numbers—try only if you hear activity or spot openings on clusters.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 0 (very quiet) – Minimal geomagnetic disturbance, low noise, and excellent low-band conditions.
• Solar Flux: 111 – Slightly below average for the cycle, supporting good low/mid-band propagation but limiting high-band openings.
• Sunspot Number: 70 – Moderate, but lower than recent months, which means less ionization for higher bands.
• Space Weather Overview: No major flares or disturbances; B-class X-ray activity only.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained at or near zero for the past 24 hours, indicating very stable geomagnetic conditions.
• No significant geomagnetic storms or disturbances are present or expected.
• This stability favors excellent low-band propagation and reduces absorption, especially on 80m and 40m.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B4.5 – Low-level, no risk of HF blackouts or sudden ionospheric disturbances.
• Solar Wind Speed: 359 km/s – Typical, not high enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
• Electron Flux: 6820 – Slightly elevated, but not at levels that would cause significant absorption or auroral activity.
• Proton Flux: 132 – Quiet, no solar radiation storm effects.
• Aurora: 1 – Very low; aurora-related propagation is unlikely, and polar paths are open.
• Helium Line: 111.3 – Consistent with overall moderate solar activity; no rapid changes expected.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent months show a gradual decline in solar flux and sunspot numbers from spring highs (solar flux ~138, SSN ~94) to current values (solar flux ~116, SSN ~76).
• This trend means lower maximum usable frequencies (MUF), so high-band (12m/10m) openings are rare.
• Low and mid bands remain reliable as the solar cycle enters a quieter phase.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Solar and geomagnetic activity are expected to remain quiet for the next 3 days.
• HF propagation will continue to favor 80m–20m; 17m/15m may see brief daytime improvements, but 12m/10m will likely stay poor.
• No alerts or warnings are in effect.
• Operators should plan for stable, low-noise conditions—ideal for contests, DXing, and portable operations on the lower bands.