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 looking solid for most bands, thanks to a solar flux of 139 and a healthy sunspot number of 116. Expect good conditions on 20m, 17m, and 15m throughout the day and night, with fair to poor conditions on the higher bands (12m, 10m) at night. The K-index is low (2), indicating quiet geomagnetic conditions, so stable propagation is likely, especially for DXers. Watch for some minor disturbances from elevated solar wind and a moderate aurora level, but overall, bands should be open for both local and long-haul contacts. Take advantage of the daytime openings on the higher bands and the reliable night-time performance on 40m and 80m!

💡 Operator Tips

• Daytime: Focus on 20m, 17m, and 15m for reliable DX and intercontinental contacts.
• Nighttime: 40m and 80m will perform well for both regional and longer paths—great for nets and ragchews.
• Modes: Try FT8 or CW on higher bands (12m/10m) during the day; SSB and digital modes will be effective on 20m–15m.
• Antennas: Use directional antennas for DX, especially on 20m–15m. Vertical or dipole antennas work well for lower bands at night.
• Contesting/DX: With the K-index low, now is a good time for DXpeditions and contesting—watch for grayline openings around sunrise and sunset.

⏰ Best Operating Times

• 80m/40m: Best at night and early morning for regional and some DX.
• 20m/17m/15m: Excellent all day and into the evening for worldwide contacts.
• 12m/10m: Best during local midday and early afternoon; expect fair conditions, especially for north-south paths.
• Grayline: Sunrise and sunset—watch for enhanced DX, especially on 40m and 20m.

🌍 DX Opportunities

• Grayline propagation is favorable on 40m and 20m—target distant regions at your local sunrise/sunset.
• 20m, 17m, and 15m are open for trans-equatorial and long-path DX during daylight.
• 10m and 12m may open for short periods during peak solar hours—watch for sporadic-E and TEP, especially for southern operators.
• Aurora activity is moderate (level 4); northern stations may see some auroral propagation on VHF/UHF.

📻 Band-by-Band Analysis

The 20m, 17m, and 15m bands are your best bets for consistent contacts throughout the day and evening. 40m and 80m shine at night and early morning, perfect for regional and some DX. 12m and 10m are only fair during daylight and generally poor at night—try digital modes for best results.

📊 Current Solar Activity

• K-index: 2 (quiet) — Geomagnetic field is stable, favoring HF propagation and minimizing disruptions.
• Solar Flux: 139 — Indicates good ionization for HF, supporting higher band openings.
• Sunspot Number: 116 — Healthy sunspot activity, helping to keep 20m–10m open.
• Space Weather: X-ray flux at C4.6 (moderate), solar wind at 499.5 km/s (slightly elevated), and aurora at level 4 (moderate).

📈 Geomagnetic Conditions

• The K-index has remained low and stable over the past 24 hours, with no significant spikes—this means quiet geomagnetic conditions and stable HF propagation.
• No recent geomagnetic storms; the magnetic field is steady, so expect minimal fading or absorption on HF bands.

🌟 Space Weather Details

• X-ray Activity: C4.6 level—moderate solar flare activity; no major HF blackouts expected, but brief absorption possible on sunlit paths.
• Solar Wind: 499.5 km/s—slightly elevated, may cause minor disturbances at high latitudes, but not enough to disrupt most HF operations.
• Particle Environment: Electron flux (5160) and proton flux (552) are elevated but not at storm levels; minor impact on polar paths possible.
• Aurora Activity: Level 4—moderate aurora; VHF/UHF operators in northern regions may see auroral propagation, especially at night.
• Helium Line: 117.0—indicates steady solar activity; no major upswings or downturns.

📡 Propagation Timeline & Technical Details

• Recent solar flux has increased from 120–125 in April/May to 138 in June/July, supporting better high-band openings.
• Sunspot numbers have rebounded after a dip in early spring, now holding steady in the 90–100 range.
• These trends suggest a return to stronger HF conditions after a brief lull earlier in the year.

🔮 3-Day Forecast

• Expect continued good HF conditions on 20m–15m, with fair chances for 12m/10m openings during the day.
• Geomagnetic activity should remain low, barring any sudden solar events.
• DX prospects remain strong, especially around grayline and during daylight on the higher bands.
• VHF/UHF: Watch for auroral propagation in northern latitudes; otherwise, tropo and sporadic-E openings possible on 6m.
• No major alerts or warnings at this time—enjoy the bands!