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 shaped by moderate solar activity with a solar flux around 125–136 and sunspot numbers in the upper 70s. Expect good conditions on the 20m, 17m, and 15m bands throughout the day and evening, while 12m and 10m are more variable and favor daylight hours. The geomagnetic field is quiet to unsettled (K-index 2–3), so no major disruptions are expected, but higher latitude paths may see minor absorption. For best results, focus on the mid-high HF bands during daylight and lower bands after sunset. Watch for short-lived DX windows, especially along the grayline.

💡 Operator Tips

• Use 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable daytime DX and intercontinental contacts.
• Digital modes (FT8, FT4, RTTY) will outperform SSB/CW on marginal bands like 12m and 10m.
• 80m and 40m are best reserved for local/regional work after dark; expect limited DX.
• Monitor grayline times for enhanced propagation, especially on 40m and 20m.
• Portable and low-power stations: exploit the afternoon/evening on 17m/15m for best SNR.
• Contesters and DXers: Watch for brief high-band openings and leverage cluster spots for rare paths.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Night and early morning (local time) for NVIS and regional contacts.
• 20m/17m/15m: Late morning through sunset for DX and long-haul QSOs.
• 12m/10m: Midday to early afternoon, especially during solar peak hours.
• Grayline (sunrise/sunset): Enhanced long-path and trans-equatorial openings, especially on 20m and 40m.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m and 17m: Best for transatlantic and transpacific DX, especially during grayline.
• 15m: Good for east-west paths and equatorial DX during daylight.
• 12m/10m: Watch for sporadic E and short-lived F2 openings—check beacons and FT8 activity.
• Grayline: Enhanced propagation to antipodal regions; try 40m/20m at local sunrise/sunset.
• Aurora: Low risk today, but northern operators may still check for VHF auroral scatter.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

Analysis:

• 20m, 17m, and 15m are the most reliable for both DX and regional work all day and into the evening.
• 12m and 10m are fair during daylight but close rapidly after sunset; check for brief openings.
• 80m and 40m are mostly poor during the day but improve to fair at night—best for local and regional QSOs.
• For DX, focus on 20m–15m during daylight and grayline; for local, use 80m/40m after dark.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2–3 (quiet to unsettled) — minimal geomagnetic disturbance, good for HF.
• Solar Flux: 125–136 (moderate) — supports reliable F2-layer propagation on mid/high HF bands.
• Sunspot Number: 72–78 (moderate) — enough for decent band openings, especially 20m–15m.
• Space Weather: No major flares, but X-ray flux at C1.3 indicates some active regions.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained stable in the 2–3 range over the past 24 hours, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions.
• No significant geomagnetic storms or sudden disturbances detected.
• Conditions are favorable for HF propagation, especially on higher bands and polar paths.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C1.3 (moderate)—no major blackouts, but minor absorption possible on lower HF.
• Solar Wind: 526 km/s (elevated)—slightly above average, could cause minor high-latitude absorption.
• Electron Flux: 1590—elevated, may lead to minor polar absorption but not a major concern.
• Proton Flux: 12—quiet, no radiation storm risk.
• Aurora: 2 (very low)—minimal auroral activity, VHF/UHF aurora unlikely.
• Helium Line: 118.8—stable, no rapid solar trend changes expected.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Over the past 6 months, solar flux has fluctuated between 120 and 138, with sunspot numbers ranging from the upper 70s to just over 100.
• The current trend shows a slight decrease from recent peaks, but values remain supportive of good HF propagation, especially on 20m–15m.
• No major solar events or geomagnetic storms have occurred in the last week.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect stable solar and geomagnetic conditions to continue, with solar flux in the 125–135 range and K-index remaining low.
• 20m–15m will continue to offer the best DX opportunities, especially during daylight and grayline.
• 12m/10m may open briefly during peak solar hours—monitor for sporadic E and F2.
• No alerts or warnings for HF or VHF operators at this time.
• Continue to check real-time cluster spots and beacons for surprise band openings, especially on the higher bands.