Sun Images for Past 72 Hours
Images copyrighted by the SDO/NASA and Helioviewer project
📋 Propagation Summary:
HF propagation is currently challenging, with low solar flux (around 108) and a declining sunspot number (now at 45). The K-index is low (quiet geomagnetic conditions), so there’s little geomagnetic disturbance, but the overall solar activity trend is downward. Expect lower bands (80m, 40m) to perform best, especially at night, while higher bands (20m and above) remain mostly closed or poor. For daily operations, focus on nighttime operation on the low bands and keep expectations modest for DX on higher frequencies.
💡 Operator Tips
- Concentrate your efforts on 80m and 40m—these bands offer the best propagation, especially after sunset.
- Use digital modes (FT8, PSK31, JT65) to maximize weak signal work, especially on higher bands.
- For DX, try grayline times on 40m and 80m.
- Keep antennas optimized for low-angle radiation to improve DX chances on the lower bands.
- Monitor real-time spots and cluster activity for any brief high-band openings.
- If contesting, focus on low bands and be prepared for higher noise levels.
⏰ Best Operating Times
- 80m & 40m: Best at night and early morning; fair during the day.
- 20m–10m: Generally poor throughout the day and night; check for brief openings around local noon or during grayline.
- 17m–10m: Not recommended today except for local contacts.
🌍 DX Opportunities
- DX is most likely on 40m and 80m during local sunset and sunrise (grayline) periods—watch for paths to opposite hemispheres.
- 20m and above: Only short, sporadic openings possible, mainly for local or near-vertical incidence skywave (NVIS) contacts.
- Aurora activity is low, so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
- No major solar events or special propagation phenomena expected in the next 24 hours.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent |
| 40m | 🟡 Good | 🟠 Fair | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Excellent |
| 20m | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor |
| 17m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 15m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 12m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
Analysis:
80m and 40m are the most reliable bands, especially after sunset and before sunrise, with excellent night conditions. 20m may offer fair contacts in the morning and evening but is mostly poor otherwise. 17m–10m are poor or closed all day and night due to low solar flux and sunspot numbers.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: Low (2), indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions—good for stable propagation on lower bands.
- Solar Flux: 108 (10.7cm)—this is on the low side, meaning high bands are not supported.
- Sunspot Number: 45—well below recent months, confirming a downward trend in solar activity.
- Space Weather: No significant solar flares or disturbances; X-ray flux is at B8.7 (quiet).
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions.
- No recent geomagnetic storms or disturbances—this helps low-band propagation and reduces auroral activity.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B8.7—very low, so no risk of HF blackouts or sudden ionospheric disturbances.
- Solar Wind: 414 km/s—moderate, but not high enough to trigger geomagnetic storms.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux (2210) and proton flux (59) are both low, so no significant impact on propagation.
- Aurora Activity: Level 2—very low, so VHF/UHF auroral propagation is not expected.
- Helium Line: 121.1—indicates low solar activity, consistent with the overall downward trend.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the past several months, solar flux and sunspot numbers have steadily declined from peaks above 130/100 to current values near 108/45.
- This downward trend means high bands (20m and above) are less likely to open, and low bands become more important for HF work.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Expect continued low solar activity and quiet geomagnetic conditions.
- 80m and 40m will remain the best bands for both local and DX work, especially at night.
- 20m and above will likely stay poor, with only brief, weak openings possible.
- No significant space weather events or geomagnetic storms are forecast.
- No alerts or warnings for amateur radio operators at this time—just keep an ear on the low bands and enjoy stable, if modest, conditions!