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 and quiet geomagnetic conditions. The solar flux is at 132, and the sunspot number is 87, supporting decent openings on the higher bands during daylight but with some recent downward trend. The K-index is at 3, indicating only minor geomagnetic disturbance, so most bands remain usable. Expect good conditions on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and into the evening, while 12m and 10m are more variable. Lower bands (80m/40m) are less favorable during the day but improve at night. For best results, focus on the mid and high bands during daylight and switch to 40m/80m after sunset.
💡 Operator Tips
- Use 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable daytime DX and regional contacts.
- Digital modes (FT8, FT4) will help pull through weaker signals, especially on 12m and 10m.
- For nighttime operation, shift to 40m and 80m, especially for local and regional QSOs.
- Keep antennas optimized for higher bands during the day, but consider switching to low-band antennas after dark.
- Watch for grayline openings around sunrise/sunset, especially on 40m and 20m for long-haul DX.
- If contesting, focus on the mid-high bands by day, and low bands by night for best rates.
⏰ Best Operating Times
| Band | Best Time (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 80m | 21:00 – 07:00 | Nighttime, local/regional |
| 40m | 20:00 – 08:00 | Night, early morning |
| 20m | 10:00 – 22:00 | Daytime, best for DX |
| 17m | 11:00 – 20:00 | Late morning to afternoon |
| 15m | 12:00 – 18:00 | Midday, good for DX |
| 12m | 13:00 – 17:00 | Shorter openings, variable |
| 10m | 14:00 – 16:00 | Spotty, check for sporadic-E |
🌍 DX Opportunities
- 20m and 17m are your best bets for DX, especially along the grayline at sunrise and sunset.
- East-west paths (Europe <-> Americas, Asia <-> Europe) are favored on 20m/17m.
- 10m/12m may open briefly for trans-equatorial and sporadic-E paths—monitor for short, intense DX bursts.
- Grayline enhancement: Look for long-haul DX on 40m and 20m during local dawn/dusk.
- Aurora activity is low (Aurora index: 2), so VHF auroral propagation is unlikely.
📻 Band-by-Band Analysis
| Band | Morning | Day | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 40m | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair |
| 20m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 17m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 15m | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| 12m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| 10m | 🟠 Fair | 🟠 Fair | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
- Best bands: 20m, 17m, and 15m are consistently good all day and into the evening, offering the most reliable propagation for both DX and regional QSOs.
- Challenging bands: 12m and 10m are only fair during the day and poor at night; check for brief openings, especially during peak solar hours.
- Low bands: 80m and 40m are poor during daylight but improve to fair at night, making them suitable for local and regional contacts after sunset.
📊 Current Solar Activity
Solar Activity Metrics
K-index
Solar Flux (10.7cm)
Sunspot Number
- K-index: 3 — Minor geomagnetic disturbance; generally stable but keep an eye out for sudden changes.
- Solar Flux (10.7cm): 132 — Moderate, supporting decent high-band openings, but note the gradual decrease over recent months.
- Sunspot Number: 87 — Moderate, enough to keep higher bands open but not at peak cycle levels.
- Space Weather Overview: No major flares or disturbances; X-ray activity is low (B6.9).
📈 Geomagnetic Conditions
- The K-index has been stable to slightly unsettled over the past 24 hours, with no significant spikes. This means HF propagation is not being severely disrupted by geomagnetic storms.
- Trends: Conditions have been mostly stable, supporting reliable operation on most bands.
🌟 Space Weather Details
Space Weather Dashboard
X-ray Activity
Solar Wind Speed
Aurora Activity
- X-ray Activity: B6.9 — Low X-ray flux, so the risk of sudden HF blackouts is minimal.
- Solar Wind: 434.8 km/s — Slightly elevated but not enough to trigger major geomagnetic storms.
- Particle Environment: Electron flux 1720, Proton flux 14 — Both are within normal range; no significant impact on HF propagation.
- Aurora Activity: 2 — Very low; auroral propagation is unlikely, so VHF/UHF bands will not benefit from aurora.
- Helium Line: 110.7 — Indicates moderate solar activity; no major trend changes expected.
📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details
Propagation Quality Timeline (24 Hours)
- Over the past several months, solar flux and sunspot numbers have shown a gradual decline from spring highs (solar flux ~138, SSN >90) to current moderate levels (solar flux ~105-132, SSN ~60-87).
- This downward trend means high-band (12m/10m) openings are less frequent and shorter, while mid-bands (20m/17m/15m) remain the most reliable for DX and regional work.
Solar Activity Trends (6 Months)
🔮 3-Day Forecast
3-Day K-index Forecast
- Solar activity is expected to remain moderate, with no major flares or geomagnetic storms forecast.
- HF conditions should stay stable, with 20m/17m/15m performing well during the day and 40m/80m improving at night.
- 12m/10m may see brief openings, especially if solar flux ticks upward—monitor these bands for surprise DX.
- No alerts or warnings are in effect; continue to operate as normal and watch for any sudden solar or geomagnetic changes.