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 of 145 and a sunspot number of 158. Expect good conditions on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and night, while higher bands (12m and 10m) are only fair during daylight and poor at night. Lower bands (80m and 40m) are underperforming during the day but improve to fair at night. Geomagnetic activity is moderate (K-index 3), so some minor disturbances may affect polar and high-latitude paths, but most mid-latitude operators will experience stable conditions. For best results, focus on the mid and upper HF bands during daylight hours and switch to lower bands after sunset.

💡 Operator Tips

• Target 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable DX and regional contacts all day and night.
• Use digital modes (FT8, FT4, PSK31) to maximize weak signal performance, especially on 12m and 10m.
• Monitor grayline times for enhanced long-path openings, especially on 20m and 40m.
• Avoid 80m and 40m during the day; these bands improve after sunset.
• For contesters: focus on 20m and 15m for high QSO rates; check 10m for sporadic E or short DX bursts.
• Portable and QRP ops: verticals and dipoles will perform well on 20m/17m; consider adding a 40m element for nighttime activity.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 20m, 17m, 15m: Best all day and night for DX and regional work.
• 12m, 10m: Try during daylight, especially late morning to afternoon; expect weak or closed conditions at night.
• 80m, 40m: Focus after sunset and before sunrise for regional and some DX; avoid during daylight.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• 20m and 17m: Consistent DX openings across all time zones; check for grayline enhancements at sunrise/sunset.
• 15m: Good for transcontinental and some intercontinental DX, especially mid-day.
• 10m/12m: Watch for short-lived openings, especially during solar flux peaks or sporadic E events.
• Grayline: Enhanced propagation on 40m and 20m at local dawn/dusk—ideal for chasing rare DX.
• Polar paths: Some minor absorption possible due to moderate geomagnetic activity; try alternate paths if signals are weak.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

• Best performance: 20m, 17m, and 15m are your go-to bands for reliable contacts at any hour.
• Daytime: 12m and 10m offer fair conditions—try for short skip or sporadic E, especially late morning to afternoon.
• Nighttime: 80m and 40m improve to fair, suitable for local/regional nets and some DX.
• Poor/closed: Avoid 80m and 40m during the day, and 12m/10m at night.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 3 — Moderate geomagnetic activity. Minor disturbances possible, especially at high latitudes.
• Solar Flux (10.7cm): 145 — Above average, supporting good ionization for HF propagation, especially on higher bands.
• Sunspot Number: 158 — High, indicating plenty of active regions to support robust HF propagation.
• Space Weather Overview: No major flares reported; X-ray flux at B9.9 is elevated but not at blackout levels.

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• Recent K-index trend: Stable to slightly unsettled, hovering around 3. No major geomagnetic storms in the past 24 hours.
• Impact: Minor absorption possible on polar paths, but overall conditions are stable for most operators. Watch for brief disturbances if the K-index rises.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: B9.9 — Elevated but not at M-class; risk of HF blackouts is low, but keep an ear out for sudden fades.
• Solar Wind: 448 km/s — Slightly above average, which can enhance auroral activity and minor geomagnetic disturbances.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux 3320 — High electron levels can cause minor polar absorption, especially at high latitudes.
• Aurora Activity: 2 — Low; VHF/UHF aurora propagation unlikely, but northern ops may see some auroral flutter on HF.
• Helium Line: 120.8 — Indicates moderate solar activity; trend is steady, not spiking.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent months: Solar flux and sunspot numbers have declined from their winter peaks (F10.7 from ~160 to 120, SSN from ~124 to 79), but remain sufficient for good HF propagation, especially on 20m and above.
• Current trend: Conditions are stable but not at solar maximum; expect reliable but not spectacular high-band openings.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• HF bands: Expect continued good conditions on 20m, 17m, and 15m. 12m and 10m may improve if solar flux rises, but will remain marginal at night.
• Geomagnetic activity: No major storms forecast; K-index likely to stay in the 2-3 range.
• Operator strategy: Plan DX and contest activity around 20m/17m/15m during daylight and early evening. Monitor solar data for any sudden flare or geomagnetic alerts.
• No warnings or alerts at this time—enjoy stable springtime propagation!